A fine pair of Russian ormolu-mounted grey-smoked cut-glass vases circa 1820 now mounted as lamps , attributed to the Imperial Glass Factory, St. Petersburg

each with a tall ribbed neck and ovoid body faceted with swirling foliate motifs and diamonds, fitted with leaf-cast ormolu handles issuing from bearded masks, raised on an ormolu socle above a square leaf-cast base.  Pierced and fitted for electricity.

In overall excellent condition. The upper sections are later electrical fittings, which can be removed. Very minor marks to the ormolu consistent with age. The glass in overall good condition. The left vase appears to have been slightly shortened at the socle, as visisble from the catalogue illustration, and the overall size is slightly lower as a result. MInot wear and rubbing to the ormolu base. In otherwise good condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

An identical ormolu-mounted vase, made by the Imperial Glass Factory and now in the State History Museum, Moscow, is illustrated, A. Gaydamak, Russian Empire, Moscow, 2000, p. 135.  Another similar is illustrated, op. cit. p. 84.

During the course of the 18th century in Russia, the center of the glass-making industry moved to the new capital, St. Petersburg.  Andrei Voronikhin, Thomas de Thomon, Karl Rossi, Nikolai Livov and other leading architects and artists of the period contributed to the Imperial Glass Works, designing lighting devices, decorative vases, etc.  During the late 18th/early 19th century period, great attention was paid to the materials used in producing glass works of the highest quality.  Yefrem Karamyshev,  a master craftsman from the Imperial Glass Factory spent five years in England, from 1783-1788, studying glass-making, minerology and chemistry.  The brief for the Imperial Glass Factory in St. Petersburg was to 'excel over all similar factories in Russia and serve as an example to them'.