A FINE PAIR OF RUSSIAN ORMOLU MOUNTED CUT GLASS VASES AFTER A DESIGN BY IVAN IVANOV, THE GLASS ATTRIBUTED TO THE IMPERIAL GLASS FACTORY, CIRCA 1820-30
each with facetted ovoid body with a band of stylised foliage, surmounted by gilt bronze flared necks with anthemion casting and beaded rims, each mounted with a pair of swan handles, each handle issuing from an acanthus leaf, raised on waisted socles over square, inverted-cornered plinths over circular beaded feet,
34cm high (2)

A pair of related vases is in the State History Museum, Moscow (illustrated A. Gaydamak, 'Russian Empire', Moscow, 2000, p. 84). These exceptional vases were designed by Ivan Ivanov, the principal designer of the Imperial Glass Factory between 1819 and 1848. Ivanov designed most of the crystal glass pieces made for the Imperial family during this period, and the Imperial Glass Factory was famous for the un-rivalled quality of cut crystal glass it produced, which was skillfully faceted and known as 'Russian stone'. The present pair of vases unite the superlative workmanship of Russian glass-making with the elegance and refinement of the French Empire period design.
Vases of identical design were sold at Christie's, London, 7 July 2005, lot 479 (£30,000) and Christie's, London, 7 June 2016, lot 53 (£27,500).