A solid grey marble Korgon porphyry two-handled vase.

Carved from Korgon porphyry, much prized for its violet-grey hue and mounted via a cast iron rod onto the greenish-grey porphyry base, this vase was made at the Schlif / Kolyvan stone-carving factory and took 18 months to produce. The subtlety of the carving, which features both highly polished areas and areas which are left matt through the technique of fine chiselling, demonstrates the exceptional quality of the workmanship.

The vase was given to Queen Victoria in May 1874, when Alexander II visited England. Correspondence in the Royal Archives records notification of the gift in April 1874, and the decision was made to have ‘two large vases’ delivered to Buckingham Palace. It was assembled for the Queen to see by Ivan Sumin. Sumin was a member of the dynasty of stone carvers which included his son, Avenir Sumin, who became a rival of Fabergé in the production of small hardstone animals and other objects.

Text adapted from Russia, Royalty & the Romanovs, London, 2018