A MEISSEN ARMORIAL PLATE FROM THE ST. ANDREW SERVICE CIRCA 1744-45 |

painted with a central spray of Holtzschnitt Blumen within the shaped border painted with two similar flower sprays interrupted by the Imperial Russian State Seal and the Cross of the Order of St. Andrew, molded with Gotzkowsky erhabene Blumen border, crossed swords mark in underglaze-blue, red painted Hermitage Museum inventory number ᴦ.ч. / 1701, incised numeral 16

Given by Augustus III to the Tsarina Elizabeth, 1745
State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, transferred from Court Marshal's office in the Winter Place, 1911

In generally good condition apart from some minor firing-related speckling.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

As one of the largest diplomatic services of the 18th century, the St. Andrews service was a product of the high regard in which Meissen porcelain was held in the Russian court. In the summer of 1745, the service was presented to the Russian court by Augustus III to the Czarina Elizabeth on the occasion of the wedding of her nephew, Karl Peter Ulrich von Holstein-Gottorf's to Sophie Auguste Friederike of Anhalt-zerbst (later Czarina Catherine the Great).