This room was wall-to-wall showcases of Russian porcelain, a large part of it pieces from four dessert services that Catherine the Great commissioned in the late 18th century. They are distinguished by stars, badges and ribbons – the insignia of Russia’s most elite orders of individuals recognized for exceptional military or government service.

The porcelain services were used at dinners given once a year to honor the knights of the four imperial orders, named for Russia’s most important saints.

This case contains the St. Aleksandr Nevskii service, distinguished by a solid red moiré ribbon and a silver star. I might post some close-ups of each service later as I found them fascinating as well as attractive.

The Pavilion, posted earlier: