A pair of fine ormolu mounted cut-glass vases, circa 1840

of tapering ovoid form with flared rims and socles, the bodies finely engraved with classically inspired motifs of lyres and ribbon-ties laurel, flanked by fine foliate scroll handles issuing from and terminating in rosettes, on octagonal ormolu bases with palm tip borders

In overall good condition. One of the original screws replaced.
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NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This very refined pair of ormolu-mounted glass vases display all the elements you would expect from glassworks produced in Russia in the Empire period in terms of design and quality.  The distinct ovoid form differs from French examples of the same era; typically in France the ormolu mounts for the vase urn would be applied around the vase rim with handles attached to it. These unusual Russian vases were formed with a more swanlike neck, which sloping into the body of the vase accommodated handles set lower, flanking and bringing further attention to the elegance of the neck. This very unique shape is also found in the plasterwork designed by Cameron at Tsarskoye Selo: A. Kennett, The Palaces of Leningrad, London, 1973, p. 86, and represented in a porcelain vase from the Russian Museum collection illustrated in the same publication, p. 82.

The vases are faceted to a very high standard, the bodies centred with Classical lyres. The lyre was a symbol for the Imperial Lyceum at Tsarskoye Selo and for the Literary-Almanac "Polarstar". Given the quality of the vases, and the implicit use of this motif, the vases may have been commissioned specifically for one of these institutions.