Old Russia in caricature

Delightful recent set - including a porcelain tray board - representing the Czarist army in caricature - with ships as rooks! Ca. 1970-1980 - Gardner Factory or its sucessor combinat - in Sghel near Moscow. most felts missing.

---

Gardner Porcelain

The factory goes back to the 19th C and was founded by an englishman - this set sensibly was made as a top present and souvenir.

---

Rooster set

The most typical souvenir to take along from  Portugal is the black stylized rooster with colourful markings -the rooster of Barcelos. This set opposes  black roosters and chickens  and white roosters and chickens - there is a little drama contained around the question: "Who stole the eggs?" This is a single piece - made to order by well-known craftsmen. The black king stands 117mm , set is made of unglazed earthenware, and handpainted.

---

Glazed Stoneware

Stoneware set with a glazeing over the paint - intricate figures with a slight tang of "Alice" - but I may be wrong. The rooks will tell! The kings stand 138 mm, the figures are massive and not hollow. Definitely a work of love by the ceramic craftsman  who made it!

---