the cavettos printed and painted with scenes from the legends of Solovei Budimirovich and of Churilo Plenkovich, the borders painted with brightly colored scrolling and foliate strapwork and with shaped borders

with scattered small scratches and scuffs
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

As the inscriptions on the back of these plates note, they depict byliny, the ancient epic sung tales that were collected and studied by Russian scholars and patriots in the nineteenth century. The tale of Solovei Budimirovich is concerned with bride-taking and depicts the "foreign" hero as he arrives at the Kievan court of Prince Vladimir and the various feats he performs before he may marry. The tale of the Youth Churilo Plenkovich, on the other hand, depicted a youth so astoundingly beautiful that he caused "nuns and maidens to uncover themselves." He proves to be young and foolish and is finally killed by a jealous husband.