148. A pair of Meissen vases from the hunting service for Catherine II of Russia, circa 1766-68 After a Sèvres model (vase à oreilles), each side painted with a hunting scene on a gilt and ochre scrollwork bracket flanked by flowers, below moulded, gilt-edged triangular green trellis panels, gilt-edged foliate handles, 11cm high, crossed swords and dot marks in underglaze-blue (restored) (2) The hunt and riding were among Catherine the Great's greatest passions and she ordered this extensive Meissen service in 1766 for her hunting lodge at Tsarkoje Selo. It comprised around 1,000 pieces - after the Swan Service, the second largest table service of the 18th century - and at least 29 painters were involved in its decoration. The empress subsequently ordered additions to the service from the Russian imperial manufactory, which continued to produce additions into the reign of Tsar Alexander II (1855-81). Parts of the service are today preserved in the Hermitage, the Gatshina Palace, the Moscow Historic Museum, Kuskuvo Palace, and the Hetjens Museum in Düsseldorf. For a detailed discussion of the service, see U. Pietsch (ed.), Meissen for the Tsars, 2004, p.95 and cat. no. 150.