A PORCELAIN PLATE FROM THE PRINCE BARYATINSKY SERVICE, IMPERIAL PORCELAIN FACTORY, ST PETERSBURG, PERIOD OF ALEXANDER II (1855-1881)

Prince Alexander Ivanovich Baryatinsky (1814 - 1879) was a Russian General, a Field Marshal and a governor of the Caucasus. When he was seventeen years old, he entered the school of the ensigns of the Guard and two years later received his commission of cornet in the Life Guards of the future Emperor Alexander II. During the he first few years of his military service, Baryatinsky was sent to the Caucasus where he served with great gallantry. On his return to St Petersburg, he was rewarded with a golden sword for valour. In 1836 he was attached to the suite of Alexander II and later was sent to the Caucasus once again where he distinguished himself and received the Order of St George for his attack on Imam Shamil's stronghold. In 1856 Baryatinsky became commander-in-chief of the Caucasian army and subsequently, governor of the Caucasus. Alexander II valued Baryatinsky's services, his military achievements and loyalty to the state. He rewarded Baryatinsky for his service by awarding him the order of St. Andrew.

Based on its design this dinner service is comparable to similar services owned by officials of the highest rank during Catherine the Great's reign. These were also often embellished with monograms, mottos, and order insignia. Baryatinsky's heirs kept the service at their ancestral estate of Maryino, where it was displayed in a special pyramid-shaped vitrine.

For a photograph of other pieces from the same service, please see Anne Odom and Liana Paredes Arend, A Taste for Splendor, Alexandria, 1998, pp.50-51.