Terracotta Medallion Depicting A Profile Portrait Of Empress Catherine Ii, After Nini

Portrait of Empress Catherine II of Russia Period: 19th century
Origin: France / after Jean-Baptiste Nini (1717–1786)
Material: Molded and stamped terracotta
Diameter: 13.5 cm
Condition: In excellent condition, with a beautiful natural patina. Minimal signs of wear on the edge. Description: A rare and elegant circular terracotta medallion depicting a bust portrait, in right profile, of Empress Catherine II of Russia, known as “Catherine the Great” (1729–1796). 
The empress is depicted with great artistic finesse. Her hair, elegantly styled and adorned with curls falling down her nape, highlights a necklace of tightly strung pearls. She is dressed in a court gown with a richly adorned neckline and an embroidered ceremonial cloak draped over her left shoulder.
The rim is adorned with a prominent inscription in raised Cyrillic characters:
Б.М. EKATERINA II, EMPEROR AND AUTOCRAT OF ALL RUSSIA.
(Translation: “By the grace of God, Catherine II, Empress and Autocrat of All Russia”). 
The artist’s intaglio signature J.B. NINI F. (for Fecit) is visible beneath the bust’s line on the left shoulder. 
Historical and Artistic Context Jean-Baptiste Nini (Urbino 1717 – Chaumont-sur-Loire 1786), a renowned Italian engraver and medalist who settled in France, earned an international reputation for his meticulously detailed medallion portraits. Appointed director of the utility ceramics and crystal manufactory at the Chaumont-sur-Loire estate by Jacques-Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont, he created his most notable works there. The original model for this portrait of Catherine II was designed by Nini in 1771 following the success of his series on the great figures of the Age of Enlightenment (Louis XV, Marie-Antoinette, Benjamin Franklin). He used the elutriation technique to purify the famous “Chaumont clay,” giving it its exceptionally fine grain and characteristic color.