The oval tureen belonged to a service that was produced for the wedding of Count Piotr Konovnitsyn, later one of the heroes of the war against Napoleon, to a member of the Rimsky-Korsakov family. The service was created by the talented Moscow niello specialist Semion Kuzov in 1798–99. The lid of the tureen bears the coat of arms of the Konovnitsyns. On a gold fish-scale background, the body carries allegorical nielloed scenes representing the seasons. Striking handles in the form of lions’ heads complete the decoration of the piece. The service contained more than seventy items — large and small dishes, tureens and some fifty plates. At present the Hermitage possesses two tureens and six plates from this service. The remaining items have become scattered among different museums and private collections.