Gardner, Verbilki, Biscuit Figure Of A Sbitenschik, Russia, 19th Century

MANUFACTURE GARDNER, Verbilki (Moscow)
Figure in Polychrome Painted Porcelain Biscuit Depicting a "Street Vendor of Sbiten and Boubliks" (Sbitenschik), Represented Vested in His Traditional Garb, Holding a Garland of Small Breads (Boubliks), His Beverage Container (Sbiten) Wrapped to Retain Heat, and a Basket.
Fully marked on the reverse: impressed mark "GARDNER", coat of arms of the city of Moscow (Saint George slaying the dragon), red stamp of the Gardner manufactory in Moscow, and inventory numbers.
Russia, 19th century (circa 1870–1880).
H 19 cm
Very good overall condition, to note the spout of the container missing.

Emblematic of Russian popular porcelain statuary from the 19th century, the series of trades and small street vendors from Moscow and Saint-Petersburg produced by the famous Gardner manufactory offers a vivid and poignant social chronicle. The sbitenschik sold in the streets sbiten, a traditional hot honey and spice beverage very popular during the long Russian winters before the mass advent of tea, accompanied by biscuits and boubliks.

This biscuit figure from the Gardner manufactory constitutes a remarkable ethnographic and artistic testimony to 19th-century Russian society, sought after for the realism of its features and the finesse of execution characteristic of Verbilki pieces.