Pair of Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze-Mounted Grey Porphyry Vases, Possibly Russian or Swedish

Pair of Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze-Mounted Grey Porphyry Vases, Possibly Russian or Swedish

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Now mounted as lamps.

17 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 6 in., the vases.

30 1/4 in. height overall.

Note: Various related porphyry items were intended as gifts by the King of Sweden, Marechal Bernadotte, who reigned as Karl XIV Johann from 1818 to 1844, and whose family owned the porphyry mines. The King presented numerous porphyry objects to Napoleon's marechaux and various other French dignitaries.

Porphyry, in its various colors was first discovered in Sweden at Alvdalen in 1731 but was not commercially exploited until after 1788 by Eric Hagstrom under the direction of Nile Adam Bielke. The works were purchased by Bernadotte in 1818 and remained in Royal ownership until 1856. Bernadotte used the production of primarily Empire objects in porphyry and related granite to disseminate the Neoclassical style that he had brought from France. Production largely ceased following a disastrous fire in 1869.

Similar stone cutting factories were established in Russia during the 18th century at Peterhof, Ekaterinburg and Kolyvan, using Russian stones mined in the Ural Mountains such as Korgon porphyry. (E. Ducamp, ed., Pavlovsk The Collections, Paris 1993, pp. 196-207 and Le Soleil et L'Etoile du Nord, exh. cat., p. 337, cat 522).
Condition Report: Both in good overall condition and have been drilled. Very few nicks along the edges. Will need to be rewired for use. Notwithstanding this report or any discussion concerning condition of a lot, all lots are offered and sold "as is" in accordance with our conditions of sale.