SERVICE DE SAINT ANDRÉ LE PREMIER NOMMÉ Lot n° 312

Pair of porcelain plates of the service of Saint Andrew the First Named, with molded decoration "Gotzkowsky erhabene blumen", the basin with painted decoration of a bouquet of flowers, the marli centered of the double-headed imperial eagle and the cross of Saint Andrew, the edge contoured of a gold net. Manufacture of Meissen, 19th century. Marks in blue underglaze, one plate with traces of red marks of inventory of the Hermitage. D. 24,5 cm. History This service, made by the Meissen factory in the 18th century, was given by August III of Saxony to Empress Catherine II of Russia on the occasion of her marriage to her cousin, the future Tsar Peter III. It was to be used in the Peterhof Palace, but was eventually transferred to the Winter Palace and was used only once a year, on November 29, the day of Saint Andrew. A large part of this service was sold at auction on behalf of the USSR trade mission to Rudolf Lepke in Berlin. Today, only 170 pieces of this service are on display in the Hermitage, of which only 34 pieces are from the 18th century, the rest being part of a 19th century restocking including our two plates.