Russian Works of Art, Fabergé & Icons

Russian Works of Art, Fabergé & Icons

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 104. A porcelain military plate, Imperial Porcelain Factory, St Petersburg, period of Alexander III, 1885.

Property of a Gentleman (lots 1-3, 54, 100-110)

A porcelain military plate, Imperial Porcelain Factory, St Petersburg, period of Alexander III, 1885

Lot Closed

June 9, 02:44 PM GMT

Estimate

8,000 - 12,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

Property of a Gentleman (lots 1-3, 54, 100-110)

A porcelain military plate, Imperial Porcelain Factory, St Petersburg, period of Alexander III, 1885


The cavetto depicting the 3rd Infantry Division within a border of gilt laurel on lilac ground, surmounted by the imperial double-headed eagle, inscribed in Cyrillic after a painting by Pyotr Balashov (1853-1888) and signed A. Mironov, with underglazed green Imperial cypher of Alexander III

diameter 24.5cm, 9 3/4 in.

Private Collection, UK

This important group from a Private Collection (lots 1-3, 54, 100-110), UK includes sixteen rare examples of cabinet military porcelain plates from the period of Alexander II. The Imperial Porcelain Factory painters executed two versions of each plate, one intended for Emperor Alexander II and the second for the heir to the throne. Inspired by the series of watercolours by Piratsky depicting Changes in the Clothing and Arms of the Russian Imperial Army during the Reign of Alexander Nicholayevich this important cabinet service was commenced in 1886. Piratsky’s series was a supplement to the famous work by the military historian Alexander Viskovatov Historical Descriptions of the Clothing and Arms of the Russian Army and were made after the materials in the Musuem of the Main Intendance Offico. The original watercolours are held in the Russian Museum in St Petersburg and the series was continued by Pyotr Balashov (1853-1888) after Piratsky’s death. As can be seen in the present impressive and comprehensive group of plates, the Imperial Porcelain Painters used the watercolours to inspire vignettes and poses on the plates, rather than copying them directly, creating interesting comparisons between the source material and final product.


These inventive military scenes were created by the finest painters-decorators from the period, all represented in the present group, with four by A. Morozov, two each by A. Mironov, T. Semenov, N. Kholshevnikov and A. Novikov; and one each by Wassily Midin, F. Torachkov, N. Ivanov and V. Kirsanov. 


The 3rd Infantry Division


The 3rd Infantry Division was formed in 1806 and based in Kaluga, south of Moscow. The Division was demobilized following the Russian Revolution.