Soup Plate
Medium
Hard-paste porcelain, polychrome enamels, and gilding
Dimensions
Diam.: 24 cm (9 7/16 in.)
Classification
plate (general, dish)
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
13707
Art Historical Context
This exquisite soup plate, produced by the Russian Imperial Porcelain Factory between 1762 and 1766, captures the grandeur of mid-18th-century Russian luxury crafts. Measuring 24 cm in diameter, it is fashioned from hard-paste porcelain—a prized material prized for its durability, translucency, and ability to withstand high kiln temperatures—decorated with vibrant polychrome enamels and shimmering gilding. These techniques allowed for intricate, colorful designs that mimicked the finest European porcelain traditions while showcasing Russian innovation. Founded in 1744 under Empress Elizabeth,...