A PAIR OF RUSSIAN ORMOLU-MOUNTED CUT-GLASS VASES

Glassware from the Imperial Glass Factory was unrivalled during the Russian Empire period and, known as 'Russian stone', it was famed for the clarity of the glass, mirror-like polish and skilful faceting.
Ivan Ivanov was the principal designer of the Imperial Glass Factory between 1819 and 1848, and responsible for most of the designs for coloured glass or crystal items executed for the Imperial family (N. Thon (ed.), St. Petersburg um 1800, Recklinghausen, 1990, pp. 395 and 398, no. 344). A pair of related vases is at the State History Museum, Moscow (ill. A. Gaydamak, Russian Empire, Moscow/Paris, 2000, p. 84), while further related examples were sold Christie's, London, 7 July 2005, lot 479 (£30,000 including premium, a pair) and Christie's, London, 10 June 2004, lot 88 (£31,070 including premium, a single vase).