Lot Essay
An ornamental frieze with roses and large green leaves against a golden background was the main decorative theme of the pieces belonging to the Gala Service produced for the Grand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna. The Grand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna (1783-1801), the eldest daughter of the Emperor Paul I, was supposed to marry the young Swedish King Gustav IV, who arrived in St Petersburg in 1796, but the whole arrangement collapsed and she married Archduke Joseph of Austria in 1799 at Gatchina.
However, during the negotiations with King Gustav the Imperial Porcelain Factory had received a commission from the Empress Catherine II for a wedding service. This commission, now listed in the archives of the factory, is dated to 1795 and the service is described as 'a porcelain table service with Italian views, and with borders painted with roses against the golden background'.
However, during the negotiations with King Gustav the Imperial Porcelain Factory had received a commission from the Empress Catherine II for a wedding service. This commission, now listed in the archives of the factory, is dated to 1795 and the service is described as 'a porcelain table service with Italian views, and with borders painted with roses against the golden background'.