BY THE IMPERIAL PORCELAIN FACTORY, ST. PETERSBURG, PERIOD OF NICHOLAS I

The Kremlin Service was commissioned by Tsar Nicholas I in 1836 from the Imperial Porcelain Factory, and the design entrusted to the painter and archaeologist, F.G. Solntsev. The motifs were inspired by designs in 17th Century Russian metalwork, for instance the dessert plates by a jewelled, gold and enamelled plate made in 1667 for Natalia Kirilovna, née Naryshkina, wife of the second Romanov Tsar, Aleksei Mikhailovich.

Part of this service was originally offered as part of a 205-piece service in a sale on behalf of the Soviet Government at Christie's, 21 March 1967.