at the centre a female figure symbolising the Russian Empire, wearing a mural crown, in the left hand a palm branch, outlined by a pearl diadem, her head supported by her arm, the elbow resting on a laurel wreathed shield bearing the portrait of the Tsarina, to the side a boy in Roman costume, presenting her with a gilt crown, he carries a short epee in a sword belt, in the foreground a boy wearing a turban, emptying a bag of gold coins, a ship with bearded figurehead containing bales, rope, oars, barrels, a cassette and an anchor, porcelain, polychromed and gilt, the oval base with gilt edging, the gilt ring wound with light purple band, also rosettes heightened with gilt and flat wall element, height: 24 cm, length: 24 cm, depth: 13 cm, minor restorations
Meissen, underglaze blue crossed swords 2nd half 19th cent., model No 20, red painter no. 20, model by Michel Victor Acier ca. 1774, very rare version (Ru)

Lit.:
Meissen für die Zaren, Munich 2004, p 118, ill. 181; The construction of an effective navy and merchant fleet begun under Peter the Great had by the time of Catherine II resulted in an extension of the Russian sphere of influence and trade - it is this development which is expressed in the above allegory of navigation.