Art Institute of Chicago

Sauceboat from the St. Andrew Service

Meissen Porcelain Manufactory

Date

1744–55

Medium

Hard-paste porcelain, polychrome enamels, and gilding

Culture

Germany

Department

Applied Arts of Europe

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

The Saint Andrew service was given by the Saxon elector Friedrich Augustus II (King Augustus III of Poland) to Tsarina Elisabeth I of Russia on the occasion of her nephew’s marriage to the German princess later known as Catherine the Great. Items from the 400-piece service are decorated with the emblems of the order of Saint Andrew, including the imperial Russian double-headed eagle and Saint Andrew nailed to a cross. The order of Saint Andrew, established by Peter the Great around 1698, was the highest award in imperial Russia. This service was used at the Russian court once a year on November 30, the saint’s feast day.

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