[NICHOLAS II]: (1868-1918) Emperor of Russia 1894-1917.
A fine white glazed china cup and saucer, each with the green factory mark of the Imperial Porcelain Factory, the cup dating from 1902 and the saucer from 1904, both originating from a service used by Tsar Nicholas II and the Imperial Russian Romanov family at the Winter Palace at St. Petersburg. The cup (measuring 2 ¼ x 3 ¾) is decorated with two gilt bands at the base and lip, and with a leaf decorated gilt handle, further featuring a double-headed eagle displaying the Russian Imperial arms of Nicholas II, hand decorated in black, gold, blue and red. The saucer (measuring 1 x 5 ½) decorated with gilt bands to the rim and base and featuring a double-headed eagle displaying the Russian Imperial arms of Nicholas II, hand decorated in black, gold, blue and red. Very slight age wear to the gilt on lip and handle of the cup and with three hairline cracks and a small chip beneath the rim of the saucer. About VG, 2
The Imperial Porcelain Factory (or Manufactory) is a producer of handpainted ceramics in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It was established by Dmitry Ivanovich Vinogradov in 1744 and was supported by the Romanov Tsars from Empress Elizabeth onwards. The factory is still sometimes referred to by its well-known former name of the Lomonosov Porcelain Factory. The present china was made for the Imperial family at the time of the coronation in 1896 and replacements were manufactured until 1914. Although a considerable quantity was produced over the years a survey after World War I found only about 1000 pieces had survived.
The reign of Tsar Nicholas II saw the fall of the Russian Empire from being one of the foremost great powers of the world to economic and military collapse. Two revolutions occurred in Russia in 1917, the first known as the February Revolution, the immediate result of which was the abdication of the Tsar and the end of the Romanov dynasty. The Russian Imperial Romanov and all those who chose to accompany them into exile were executed by a firing squad at Yekaterinburg on 17th July 1918.