St. Petersburg Amazing Scenic Cup #2

This is a rare and truly superb porcelain cup made by the famous St. Petersburg Imperial factory during the reign of Tsar Alexander II as Emperor of Russia who reigned from 1855 until 1881. This is the best decorated piece I have owned by this maker. The cup is quite large and is hand painted all around the outside with winged gods and cherubs in clouds with some written things on tablets. It has a nice handle that is fully gilded and the inside of the cup is fully gilded except the bottom part. Th e left side of the cup has a large winged cherub as well as a smaller one that are both holding a plaque with September 8, 1859 on it. The larger cherub has a sword in his hand and an owl on his leg. The front of the cup has an older genetleman holding a large book with a cherub to either side. One cherub is holding some scrolls and a sickle with the other holding some sort of greenery. The book has some writing on it as well that state the Chronicles of Russia . The right side of the cup has a winged lady holding an orb with a crown on top and there are five small cherubs holding a plaque with September 8, 1843 on it. Not sure what these dates mean as the only thing I could find is possibly the birthday of Nicholas Alexandrovich depending on which calendar they followed. That might make it his 16th birthday which would be a big enough day for a present like this!? It's an amazing cup just wish I had the saucer! The cup is marked with the Saint Petersburg , Russia , under glaze green mark Czar Alexander II of an A with Roman numerals II under a crown as well as an incised number 25. The piece is in superb condition with a few use marks to the gilding inside but it is as nice as they come! The cup is 3.25 inches tall with a diameter of 3.875 inches - so rather large. Please email me for more information or other pictures.