Gourievsky service Polychrome porcelain dessert plate, the basin decorated with a painted scene depicting "The Wedding Ceremony", the marli with purple background decorated with a frieze of palmettes in gold bordered with gold fillets. Slight wear to the gold, a chip to the rim on the reverse. Inscribed on the back by hand in Russian and French "La cérémonie du ma- riage / Usage russe de la veille du mariage". Saint Petersburg, Imperial Porcelain Manufactory, reign of Alexander I (1801-1825). Mark painted in black on the back in French "Manf(re) Imper(le) de Russie". D. 24 cm. History Originally produced by the Imperial Porcelain Manufactory in St. Petersburg between 1809 and 1816, the "Gourievsky" service is one of the most impressive examples of the Empire style in Russian porcelain production. The service took the name "Gurievsky" in 1824, after Count Dmitri Guriev, who was in charge of production at the Imperial Manufactory. The characteristic color of red with gold motifs is a unique feature that makes this service perfectly re-knowable. Commissioned by Alexander I and created under the direction of the famous sculptor and deputy professor of the Academy of Arts, Stepan Pimenov, the service was intended for ceremonial receptions, first at the Winter Palace and, from 1848, at the Peterhof Palace. Originally called "Le Service Russe", it was decorated with views of St. Petersburg and its surroundings, genre scenes, costumes and episodes from the life of the Russian people for the dessert plates. Its production continued under the successive reigns of the various tsars throughout the 19th century and right up to the Revolution.