Imperial Russian Bowl

This is a rare serving bowl made by Meissen around 1780 during the Marcolini period. It is handpainted with a large floral arrangement in the center as well as three small flowers/ leaves and three more single flowers along the rim which also has a relief basketweave design to it. Nice reddish brown trim to the edge. The piece is in good condition but the center flowers are worn from use as is the rim and the yellow flower. Two chips to the footring. The dish is 2.125 inches tall and 9.5 inches in diameter. Marked underneath with the underglaze blue crossed swords mark with the star underneath as well as the usual impressed numbers and the mark that makes this a rather rare item and easily makes up for the wear - the overglaze purple cyrillic initials P.K. for pridvornaya kontora - the office that oversaw the Russian Imperial court property meaning it belonged to the Czar. I ahve heard that they had Meissen porcelain but have never seen a piece with their mark on it! Something quite special and fun and with lots of history attached to it. Since it is a serving bowl imagine all the famous hands it has touched during its lifetime! Please email me for more information or other pictures.