Snow Maiden Verbilki Porcelain Sculpture

Giving porcelain items as gifts became fashionable in Russia during the reign of Empress Catherine II (The Great), who liked to give porcelain to her favorite subjects. All Russian rulers to follow Catherine II kept this custom. For example, Emperor Alexander II presented his children with a stunningly beautiful Verbilki porcelain dinner set, decorated with scenes from Russian fairy tales. Today, all Russian social classes follow this tradition, keeping great porcelain items in their homes and giving them as prized gifts to those they deem worthy of receiving expensive presents.