Sampson Smith
English, 1851 - 1890Staffordshire
EnglishGrand Duchess Marie Alexandrovna of Russia, 1872 - 1873
Not on view
Porcelain
Dimensions17 5/8 × 7 1/8 × 5 3/8 in.
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Davis, 1972.13
During the 19th century the public was fascinated with the life of Queen Victoria and the lives of her children and successors. This subject was commonly depicted in Staffordshire figurines. This piece is the commemoration of the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Alfred, second son of Queen Victoria, and his marriage to the Grand Duchess Marie Alexandrovna, second daughter of Tsar Alexander II of Russia. The Duke and Duchess were wed on January 23, 1874 at the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
The Grand Duchess is depicted in a bridal veil and Russian Kokoshnik tiara. The Russian Kokoshnik tiara is modeled after the traditional headdress that was worn by Russian girls and women. The kokoshnik was pointed or round and patterned to match the dress, tying in the back with long ribbons and a decorated forehead.
