Russian Antique Porcelain Award Beaker for Cossacks

made by the Kuznetsov factory in Moscow, circa 1914. The front is decorated with a transfer printed portrait of Tsarevich Alexei (Commander in Chief of all Cossack armies), the reverse – with double headed Imperial eagle. The blue & red ornaments are simulating peasant embroidery of Cossacks’ shirts.

This is a very rare piece. No more than 2-3 beakers of this type appear on the market in a 10 year period. An identical cossack beaker is published in Collecting Pottery & Porcelain by Janet Gleeson, 1997, page 110.

Height 3 7/8 in. (9,8 cm)

Czarevich Alexei (the son of Nicholas II) is wearing Cossack uniform.

Inscription around the portrait reads: H.I.H.C.H. and G.D. (His Imperial Highness Czarevich Heir and Grand Duke) Alexei Nikolaevich * Commander (Ataman) of All Cossack Armies.

The black inscription along the lower rim reads:

The 1st Caucasian Cossack Division

For valiant and intrepid slashing

Condition: gilding of the rims is almost completely worn out what is typical. Most beakers of this type have only traces of gilding or no gilding at all. Apparently, the factory used a low quality gold paint which was easily washed out. There are no chips cracks or restoration. A few tiny scratches from use.

Marked – M.C. Kuznetsov in Moscow beneath Imperial warrant.