These three miniature tradesmen were purchased as a set. Thinking Russian Private Factory such as Gardner or Popov. Just please keep in mind that in the absence of evidence this is my opinion only. As always, looking for the missing […]
This small figure group I am titling “Tailor and Gentleman” was made by a Russian Private Factory in the early to mid 19th century. My gut says Gardner but could be other. Unmarked. 8.4 cm in height. I find this […]
This titillating trio has probably always been together. At 3.5 to 3.8 cm in height, these are small even by miniature standards. Their extra tiny size makes them particularly intimate works of art. They were produced by a Russian Private […]
Nineteenth century erotica can be very subtle. It is not about what it shows so much as what it suggests. That is the case with this made up pair, purchased separately a few years apart. These were made after a […]
This “Woman Adjusting Corset” is an example of miniature Russian erotica in porcelain. Is she in the act of dressing or undressing? Why does the base suggest she is outdoors rather than in the boudoir? Fans of the female form […]
This miniature “Pierrot Astride a Drum” is from the same lot as Porthos and the Voltigeur. I will go out on a limb and say that it was also made by the Russian Imperial Porcelain Factory. Again, my task will […]
These richly enamelled and gilded Easter eggs were made by the Russian Imperial Porcelain Factory in the late 19th and early 20th century. The Romanov family tradition was to present eggs such as these to guests at the annual Easter […]
This deluxe toy soldier came in the same lot as the Porthos in last week’s post. Another revelation hidden under layers of soot and grease. While I might have thought this could be a Russian soldier a week ago, research […]
When I saw this Porthos in a lot of five very grimy and underrated miniatures, I recognized it from a 2009 auction catalogue. The catalogue has a marked example made by the Imperial Porcelain Factory (IPF) from the period of […]
This is an extremely rare pair of vases with views of old Saint Petersburg c.1840. They were made by a prominent Russian Private Factory. One shows the Alexander Column in Palace Square with the city seen by way of the […]