Russian vase with lid. St. Petersburg, circa 1830.

Russian vase with lid. St. Petersburg, circa 1830.
Imperial Crystal Manufactory.
Cut glass, transparent with purple tones.
Gilded and chiseled bronze base.
Measurements: 63 x 27 x 27 cm.

Exquisite vase of the Imperial Crystal Manufacture of St. Petersburg, dated around 1830. Its design stands out for a body in sogueada carving, a decorative technique consisting of helical or rope-shaped incisions, which gives a remarkable dynamism and a sense of movement to the whole. The lid of the vase reproduces this same principle of sogueada carving, ensuring a perfect stylistic cohesion. The base of the vase is formed by a gilded bronze foot, finely chiseled with rows of rosettes, which add a touch of opulence and meticulous detail. The quality of execution is evident in every element: the mouth of the vase is stepped, creating a sophisticated visual effect; it features decorative notches along its surface, and the knob of the lid is similarly embellished with delicate decorative incisions. All of these carefully crafted elements reflect the high craftsmanship and luxury characteristic of imperial glass production at the time.

The 1830s were a time of great splendor for the Imperial Glass Manufactory in St. Petersburg, a period when technical excellence, design innovation and imperial patronage came together to create some of the most impressive works of glass art in Russian history. The factory was famous for its innovative techniques in glass carving. During the reign of Alexander I (1801-1825), new techniques were developed and perfected in the following years. One notable achievement was the mastery of the technique for coloring glass with gold nanoparticles to produce the famous "golden ruby glass." The pieces of this era were characterized by their sumptuousness and were often combined with gilded bronze (ormolu). Many of the masterpieces produced by this manufacture are today in world-renowned museums, such as the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.