Ivan Alekseevich Ivanov
A Pair of Russian Cut-Crystal Ormolu-Mounted Medici-Vases
A Pair of Russian Cut-Crystal Ormolu-Mounted Medici-Vases
Director of the Imperial Glass Factory
(1815 – St. Petersburg – 1848)
St. Petersburg, c. 1820/25
Diamond-cut crystal with ormolu-mounts
37,5 x 28 x 15,5 cm
Finely facetted glassware from the Imperial Glass Factory was unrivalled in quality during the early 19th century and known as 'Russian Stone' for its mirror-like polish and rainbow colour when lit.
Specialising in unique objects to decorate palace interiors the Imperial Glass Factory was the eminent producer of glass at the epicenter of production in St. Petersburg.
The present model is likely based on a design by Ivan Ivanov who was director of the Imperial Glass Factory from 1815 to 1848 and responsible for most of the designs for coloured glass or crystal pieces executed for the Imperial family.
There are Pharaoh heads on both sides of the vases made of gilded bronze with ‚nemes headscarf‘ and ‚wesech collars‘ on top of palm leaves. Above them are Egyptian queens in ancient Egyptian robes which typically begin below the breasts and end above the ankles Their headgear in the form of a “vulture headdress” is striking.
Literature:
Arcadii Gaidamak, Russian Empire Style: Architecture, Decorative Art and Design of the First Third of the XIX c., (Moscow-Paris: Trefoil Press, 2000), p. 135.
Dekorativno-prikladnoe Iskusstvo. (St, Petersburg), 1995, p. 82.
Prov.:
Private collection, Budapest
Specialising in unique objects to decorate palace interiors the Imperial Glass Factory was the eminent producer of glass at the epicenter of production in St. Petersburg.
The present model is likely based on a design by Ivan Ivanov who was director of the Imperial Glass Factory from 1815 to 1848 and responsible for most of the designs for coloured glass or crystal pieces executed for the Imperial family.
There are Pharaoh heads on both sides of the vases made of gilded bronze with ‚nemes headscarf‘ and ‚wesech collars‘ on top of palm leaves. Above them are Egyptian queens in ancient Egyptian robes which typically begin below the breasts and end above the ankles Their headgear in the form of a “vulture headdress” is striking.
Literature:
Arcadii Gaidamak, Russian Empire Style: Architecture, Decorative Art and Design of the First Third of the XIX c., (Moscow-Paris: Trefoil Press, 2000), p. 135.
Dekorativno-prikladnoe Iskusstvo. (St, Petersburg), 1995, p. 82.
Prov.:
Private collection, Budapest
