BY THE ROYAL BERLIN PORCELAIN FACTORY, CIRCA 1770-1780S

Details

A PORCELAIN PART SERVICE OF GRAND DUKE PAUL PETROVICH
BY THE ROYAL BERLIN PORCELAIN FACTORY, CIRCA 1770-1780S
Comprising a dinner plate, an oval dish, twelve ice cups, two miniature baskets, each painted with the black Imperial double-headed eagle surmounted by a crown and holding the coats-of-arms of the Russian Empire and the Duchy of Holstein-Gottorp, with gilt band rims, all marked under bases, some also with green inventory numbers; together with a later plate with reticulated border and a saucer
The dinner plate, 9 5/8 in. (24.5 cm.) diameter

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Lot Essay

This magnificent service was commissioned by Emperor Frederick II of Prussia for Grand Duke Paul Petrovich, heir to the Russian throne. The exceptional quality of the gift reflected the high expectations placed upon the future ruler of the Russian Empire by the Prussian king. The service features the Imperial double-headed eagle with two coats of arms - one for Imperial Russia and the other for the Duchy of Holstein-Gottorp, Paul's patriarchal arms.

It is not known where the service was kept when it was first presented to the Grand Duke. However, towards the end of the 19th century, the majority was kept at Gatchina Palace, his main country residence. According to records from 1884, the service comprised 357 pieces. After 1917, some pieces were housed in the museum established at Gatchina, and some were sold abroad through Antikvariat, a state-run organisation established for selling antiques.

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