27 Nov 2013 Russian Art Auctions
27 November 2013
424. A PAIR OF IMPERIAL PORCELAIN PLATES IN THE ETRUSCAN STYLE
IMPERIAL PORCELAIN MANUFACTORY, PERIOD OF NICHOLAS I (1825-1855), 1840s
Diameter 24 cm each.
4,000–6,000 GBP
Related literature: For similar works, see V.V. Znamenov (ed.), Imperatorskiy farforovyi zavod. 1744–1904, St Petersburg, Global View, 2008, pp. 401–402.
Each cavetto painted with a classicizing figure of a winged female and a warrior leaning on a plinth, both with antique ornaments in black, vermilion and orange on a yellow ground, the borders with a continuous band of stylised black flowers, both with black Imperial cipher for Nicholas I under base and imprinted numbers “4” and “8”.
The plates (lots 424 and 425) belong to some of the most famous objects made by the Imperial Porcelain Factory during the historicism movement and as such, are rare and exceptional collectors’ pieces. Dating from the 1840s, they display the outstanding craftsmanship that had been achieved in Russia by the 1830s and are an exquisite example of the Etruscan style – one of the first Russian “neo” styles. The decoration exemplifies the fascination of this époque with antiquity, but instead of directly quoting ancient sources, the artists re-interpreted the antique fashion in a new way.
The Etruscan service (lot 425) which consisted of a set “for breakfast and high tea” for forty eight persons and a tea and coffee service for twenty four persons was made in 1844 for the Tsaritsyno Pavilion in Peterhof, built by Stakenschneider for the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna in the fashionable Pompeian style.
Notes on symbols:
* Indicates 5% Import Duty Charge applies.
Ω Indicates 20% Import Duty Charge applies.
§ Indicates Artist's Resale Right applies.
† Indicates Standard VAT scheme applies, and the rate of 20% VAT will be charged on both hammer price and premium.