This is a set of four plates depicting the topic of Love and the search for True Love. The series, released in 1998, was designed by Nicholai Lopatin in the style of Kholui lacquer boxes. This is the only series of Russian style plates to have scalloped borders and to feature four medallions of separate but related images to the central picture. The artisans of Russia would place these extra images on the sides of a lacquer box. The more images meant a higher quality (and cost) of the box.

This is reminiscent of the French trait of remarque. Artists who had their original oil paintings copied into steel engravings would draw in pencil a little image usually in the bottom left margin of a print. This little drawing would be something not portrayed in the original work but had something to do with it. A view from a different angle, people that would visit the place pictured or something similar. Remarqued prints were the best copies that came off the press as selected by the artists. This subtle touch displays the special relationship between Russian and French artists, authors, writers and composers.

The plates, limited to a firing of 95 days, are porcelain with up to 17 colored pigments and gold highlights. They are just under 8" in diameter and are not for food service. The reverse of the plate has the title, story and other information written in English. The custom boxes held a Certificate of Authenticity and informational fold-outs specific for each plate.


The plates are:









The plates are round. The photos were taken at an angle to limit reflections.

Individual pieces are not seen very often on ebay and I have never seen a complete set offered for sale. There are several other series of Russian legend and fairy tale plates but these are the only ones with scalloped edges and the medallions at the 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock locations.

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

I am not a dealer and I do not sell.

Ralph Vaughan