Biscuit Porcelain Bust of Peter I

This bust of Peter I was made at the turn of the 20th century and cast in biscuit, that is, unglazed porcelain. Its matt, slightly rough surface resembles marble, which is why the material has long been used for small sculpture. The catalogue gives the place of manufacture tentatively: it was probably the Imperial Porcelain Factory.

The image of Peter I has special meaning for Azov. The tsar twice led his troops against the Turkish fortress. The first campaign of 1695 ended in failure, but during the second, in 1696, the Russian fleet blocked the mouth of the Don and cut the garrison off from the sea; on 19 July the troops occupied Azov. In the autumn of that year the Boyar Duma resolved to build seagoing ships, and many historians regard this as the beginning of Russia's regular navy.