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.
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.