A porcelain chocolate cup and saucer, Imperial Porcelain Manufactory, St Petersburg, period of Nicholas I (1825-1855), circa 1840

the front painted with a view of the Alexander Column on Palace Square within an oval reserve, the sides, handle and lid applied with moulded polychrome flowers, gilt scroll blue ground, with blue Imperial cipher of Nicholas I

some rubbings to gilding and loss to enamels, particularly on rims and edges, also with slight chips to the edges of flower petals consistent with age and use
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any stat.mes nt made by Replica Shoes 's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The highly detailed and finely modelled blossoms on the chocolate cup and cover are undoubtedly based on designs by Petr Ivanov (ca. 1780-1851), who first formulated a porcelain mass capable of sustaining the intricate forms of various blooms in biscuit. During the reign of Nicholas I, glazed and painted flowers were applied as decoration to vases, mirrors, and other delicate objects. For comparable pieces in Russian state museums, see N.V. von Wolf, Imperatorskii farforovyi zavod, 1744-1904 (ed. V. Znamenov), St Petersburg, 2008, pp. 444, 472.