A RUSSIAN PORCELAIN FIGURAL GROUP OF A BEGGAR AND A BAKER, KUZNETSOV PORCELAIN FACTORY, LATE 19TH CENTURY realistically modelled, the two men, one in a blue coat with a beggar hat, walking stick and a bindle bag on his back, standing in front of another, wearing a brown coat and white apron, with his hands underneath, with a black hat, both standing on a rectangular white stone-like base next to a bucket, underglaze MS Kuznetzov factory mark with numerals 8981 and 22 under base; overall height: 20 cm (7 7/8 in.) LOT NOTESLots 276-328 in this auction come from the estate of a prominent New York collector of European heritage. After purchasing his first Gardner figurine more than 20 years ago, he developed an interest in Russian porcelain figures, and amassed a formidable collection over the next two decades, paying particular attention to quality of craftsmanship and authenticity.