Imperial Russian Porcelain Catherine II Tête-à-tête Coffee Service, C. 1762-1796, St Petersburg

Rare Imperial Russian Tête-à-Tête Coffee Service, Catherine II Period (1762–1796)

An exceptionally rare Imperial Porcelain eight-piece coffee service for two persons, crafted at the Imperial Porcelain Manufactory, St. Petersburg, during the reign of Catherine II (1762–1796).

Each cylindrical piece, with angular handles, is beautifully hand-painted with a continuous frieze of pastoral figures in landscapes, framed by delicate gilt line borders. The upper sections feature a decorative band of trailing cornflowers above a black line border. The set comprises a coffee pot with cover, a sugar bowl with cover, a jug, two cups and saucers, and a tea caddy with cover, all bearing underglaze blue Imperial cipher marks of Catherine II (‘E’).

The design and depiction of the peasant figures appear to be influenced by Vienna porcelain prototypes. A comparable Imperial Porcelain bottle cooler of the same pattern and period was sold at Sotheby’s, London, on 25 November 2014 (lot 479).

Composition

• Coffee pot with lid
• Cream jug
• Sugar bowl with lid
• Tea caddy with lid
• Two cups
• Two saucers

Each piece is executed in the refined Imperial Neoclassical style, featuring detailed pastoral scenes, intertwining blue cornflowers and foliage, gilded rims and lids, and a gilded hazelnut finial on the covers.

Measurements
Height of coffee pot (with lid): 25.5 cm

Condition
Overall in good antique condition. Some serrations on the bases, and one saucer has a minor crack.

Shipping & Packaging

• Shipped fully tracked and insured.
• Shipping cost includes labour, packaging, and postage.

Please carefully examine all accompanying photographs, as they form an integral part of this description. Feel free to reach out with any questions.