A pair of Russian gold-mounted Urazovsk jasper candlesticks, late 18th century

The rich gold mounts on these elegant candlesticks demonstrate how precious hardstones such as this rare jasper were highly prized in Russia. Urazovsk jasper was mined in the Ural mountains which is the origin of a large number of Russia’s hardstones. It is also known as beef-stone, due to the white quartz inclusions within the red stone, creating organic distinctive patterns.