Russian porcelain plate (Imperial Manufactory, St. Petersbur - Lot 62

Russian porcelain plate (Imperial Manufactory, St. Petersburg), late 18th century Circa 1798, mark in blue for the Paul I period, inscribed Basilique de s. Paul dans la voie / Ostien. Paul dans la voie / Ostien, inventory mark in red. Of contoured form, with polychrome decoration in the center of a basilica in a gold medallion with vegetal frieze, the wing of a wide blue braid with gold arabesque frieze and gold palmettes frieze, gold fillet on the rim, minor wear. D : 25 cm Provenance: "Youssoupov" service. The Youssoupov service was commissioned in 1798 by Tsar Paul I for the Winter Palace; it comprised 800 pieces and was decorated with views of ancient Italy taken from engravings. Prince Youssoupov was Director of the factory at the time. Three similar plates were sold at Christie's, London, on June 3, 2013, lot 316. For other items from this service, see by N. B. von Wolf, Imperatorskii Farforovyi Zavod, 1744-1904, St. Petersburg, 2008, pp. 162-163; and by T. V. Kudrjavceva, La Porcellana Imperiale Russa, Milan, 2003, pp. 84-85.