Exceedingly Rare Antique Porcelain Cup and Saucer in Neo-Russian Style, by the Imperial Porcelain Factory, St Petersburg, Russia, circa 1862,

designed by Vivan Baucé, who was a master of stylization and developed new variations of Russian ornaments.

His most outstanding Russian style project was the Romanov service made for the 250th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty rule in 1863. This set is made from the same mould as the cups and saucers of the Romanov service but differently painted. Pieces from the extremely rare Romanov service are illustrated in Russian Imperial Porcelain the Hermitage collection, edited by T. Kudriavtseva, St. Petersburg, 2003, page 177, and in Lomonosov Porcelain Manufacture St Petersburg 1744-1994, page 78.

This cup and saucer and the service it comes from are apparently unpublished.

Height 3 3/4 in. (9,5 cm).

Turquoise colored porcelain with molded gilt ornaments.

The handle is modeled to resemble carved wooden ornaments of Russian izba (village wooden house).

One side is painted with a miniature of a peasant girl carrying two buckets of water, in a winter landscape. The opposite side with a spray of flowers.

Diameter 5 3/4 in. (14,4 cm).

Very minor wear to gilding at the highest points of the molded decorations on the saucer.

The Imperial Porcelain Factory green mark in the form of Alexander II cipher on the saucer.