It would have been 1988 when I traveled to the USSR with a student group. I made friends with a black marketeer who was clearly a police plant, there to keep an eye on us.

I learned for the first time what “off-menu” really meant, because he and I went to a disco, where he magically make a roast chicken appear at the bar, which didn’t have a menu.

My friend traded trinkets with our group for American dollars. Not this gorgeous Lomonosov porcelain tea cup and saucer, intended for export, however, which I purchased in Los Angeles in 1991.

Vintage Lomonosov Imperial Porcelain “Tulip Magic Firebird” pattern teacup and saucer, intricately hand-painted in cobalt blue and 22K gold. Red “Made in Russia” and LFZ monogram on bottom. Makes tea time memorable.

Welcome to the KNA Krush Pad, a carefully curated space featuring “crushable” objects of beauty and utility meant to evoke the Wine Country lifestyle. Many are one-of-a-kind finds from our adventures. No returns or exchanges, so please choose carefully. Price includes shipping. Email Jennifer with questions: Jennifer@knawines.com.