Russia Applied Art Porcelain Imperial Service Military Plates Service

Military Plates Service

The first decorative plates depicting Russian regiments were manufactured at the Imperial Porcelain Factory in St Petersburg in the early 1820s. Several series of plates dedicated to such military campaigns as the Patriotic War (1812) and the Russo-Turkish War (1828–29) were produced during the reign of Tsar Nicholas I.

The Imperial Porcelain Factory continued to produce decorative plates on military themes throughout the nineteenth century. Two series of military plates were created during the reign of Tsar Alexander II. Production of the first series began in 1866; the second began in 1875. The second series of military plates was not completed during the lifetime of Tsar Alexander II and continued during the reign of his successor, Tsar Alexander III.

This series consisted of 120 plates on military themes. The Russian coat of arms and a laurel and oak wreath were depicted on the gilt rims of the plates. Two copies of each plate were made – one for Tsar Alexander II and one for his son, the future Tsar Alexander III. The miniature paintings were based on works by P. I. Balashov (draughtsman of the Military Intendant Department) and Adolphe Charlemágne (court painter from 1873).

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