ATTRIBUTED TO FRIEDRICH BERGENFELDT, CIRCA 1805

The central dish features interspersed stylised sea-horses and horn-playing tritons or mermen, reminiscent of the marine motifs and allegories so dear to the St-Petersburg bronzier Bergenfeldt. Bergenfeldt's production was very much favoured by the most distinguished patrons and celebrated connoisseurs of his time which included Empress Maria Feodorovna, Count Stroganov, Prince Yusopov as well as the Imperial Cabinet, responsible for the administration of all Imperial residences and palaces.