A silver presentation vase, Samuel Arndt, St Petersburg, circa 1860

of baluster form, on flared foot, the lower body inscribed: à Jules Perrot / Souvenir de St. Petersbourg / 1860, flanked with geometric scroll handles mounted with laurel wreaths, 84 standard

Jules Perot (1810-1892)

The famous French dancer and choreographer Jules Perot was in 1830 dubbed by the Parisian critics, "the greatest dancer of our time".  His work was acclaimed throughout Europe and it was in Naples he met his wife, the dancer Carlotta Grisi.  When Grisi joined the Paris Opera, Perot followed and was offered the chance to stage Giselle. However in 1848 he moved to St Petersburg in search of more steady employment. He worked with the Imperial Theatre as artistic leader, dancer and choreographer until 1859.  It is most likely this was presented to him on his departure from St Petersburg in 1860.