Bonhams 1793 : A pair of important Russian Neoclassical gilt bronze mounted cut glass vasesImperial Glass Factory, St. Petersburg, circa 1825

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24 Sep 2012 11:00 EDT New York
Fine Continental Furniture and Decorative Arts
Back to auction 20044

A pair of important Russian Neoclassical gilt bronze mounted cut glass vases
Imperial Glass Factory, St. Petersburg, circa 1825

Both of baluster form with flared socle and collar, the glass bodies cut in a wavy leaf pattern and diamond facets below and separated by broad bands cut in a small squire pattern, the long necks cut with a succession of bands and mounted with a gilt bronze ring, flanked by scrolling foliate handles terminating with a pair of Bacchic masks, on a square stepped base applied with a palm-leaf border.
height 23 1/4in (59cm)

Estimate:

US$ 100,000 - 150,000
£66,000 - 99,000
€77,000 - 120,000

Footnotes

According to Tatiana Malinina, a renowned expert on Russian glass, these monumental vases are rare and beautiful examples of the late Russian Empire style. Manufactured at the Imperial Glass Factory in late 1820s, they most likely had been designed after a drawing by Ivan Alekseevich Ivanov, an architect and artist, who since 1815 worked on important commissions for the celebrated glass factory and soon became a leading designer. His designs are characterized by a combination of new so called "arabesques," plant-based motifs, and an established variety of geometric patterns combined with magnificent sculptural figures, masks and elaborate handles cast in gilded bronze.

According to the inventory in the factory archives, such vases were made for Christmas and Easter holiday gifts for the Imperial family, contributions made on behalf of the Family to various Charity exhibitions and auctions, and as a special works to be exhibited at the All-Russian and International exhibitions of Arts and Trades. It has been suggested that each pair was produced in one or two examples.

An identical vase is presently in the collection of the State Historical Museum; it is illustrated in Arcadii Gaidamak, Russian Empire Style, Trefoil Press, Moscow-Paris, 2000, p. 135. Another example is illustrated in Dekorativno-prikladnoe Iskusstvo. Chastnye sobraniia Sankt-Peterburga, 1995, page 82.

Sold with an official authentication letter issued by the State Russian Museum dated December 5, 2006, and a letter from T.A. Malinina, recognized expert on Russian glass.

Category: Furniture / European Furniture and Works of Art

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