A Russian porcelain soup plate from the Service for the Imperial Yacht Queen Victoria, Imperial Porcelain Factory, St. Petersburg, period of Alexander III (1881-1894), [18]83. Shaped circular, the borders with bands of cobalt blue relieved by scrolling gilt ornament, the center of the plate with a polychrome Imperial State seal above a magenta banner bearing the Russian inscription “Yacht Queen Victoria” (Yakhta Koroleva Viktoriia). The underside with a gilt band about the foot, green Imperial cypher of Alexander III dated [18]83, & impressed mark in the paste. Diameter: 10 1/4″ (26 cm).

The Imperial yacht Queen Victoria was ordered from shipbuilder Joseph White in 1844 for Emperor Nicholas I. When it was launched in 1846, it was truly a palace. In addition to this porcelain service ordered at Minton’s (with additions later made at the Imperial Factory in St. Petersburg), the staterooms were paneled in rosewood & bird’s eye maple & overseen by a gilt sculpture of the queen.