This Wedgwood creamware dinner plate is almost unadorned apart from the small Russian imperial crest executed in black at its apex. The crest is composed of the Russian crowned double-headed eagle with the badge of the Order of the Holy Martyr of St. George. Pinstriping in brown and gilt finish the rim while a second gilt pinstripe traces the rim of the well.

Wedgwood executed this service in 1817 for Tsar Alexander I of Russia, for use at the Palace Gatachina. A limited number of examples of the service are still in the collection of The Hermitage Museum. Alexander is most frequently remembered as the monarch of Russia during the Napoleonic wars and a principal player in European politics in the aftermath.

An old exhibition label is affixed to the back of the plate. We do not know the details of the exhibit. (The label does, however, name the wrong czar.)