Knowledge Lightens Work: A Soviet porcelain plate, State Porcelain Manufactory, Petrograd, 1921

painted after the design by Rudolf F. Vilde, the cavetto with two books and a diploma below the Russian slogan, the border with a trowel, vice and pliers within flowers, with blue hammer, sickle and cog, obliterated Imperial cypher mark

The underside of the rim with a chip approximately 8mm wide. The black glaze of the trowel is slightly abraded, which is visible in the catalogue image and may be a firing flaw. Otherwise in excellent condition. Please note that the lot comes with a written expertise from Dr. Ekaterina Khmelnitskaya, Curator of the Department of Russian Culture at the State Hermitage Museum.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

For comparison, please see  N. Lobanov-Rostovsky, Revolutionary Ceramics: Soviet Porcelain, 1917-1927, London, 1990, no. 56, p. 71.