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Pair of Russian Malachite Tazze by the Imperial Lapidary Works

About the Item

Pair of Russian Malachite Tazze Imperial Lapidary Works Circa 1830 A magnificent example of early 19th-century Russian craftsmanship, this pair of malachite tazze was created by the Imperial Lapidary Works of Ekaterinburg, circa 1830. These works exemplify the period when malachite emerged as the principal decorative material in Russian hardstone objects. Their form and execution closely relate to the refined designs of Ivan Ivanovich Galberg, the most prolific designer of hardstone pieces in Russia during this period. Each tazza features a clean, classical silhouette and is veneered in vivid concentric stalactitic malachite, one of the most prized varieties of the stone. The surfaces are executed in the distinctive Russian mosaic technique, perfected by Russian craftsmen, where thin slices of malachite are sorted by pattern and seamlessly applied with powdered malachite paste. Their design is very similar to a Galberg model presented as a diplomatic gift to the Duke of Wellington in 1826. Founded in 1751 in the Ural Mountains, the Imperial Lapidary Works played a central role in establishing malachite as a national treasure in Russia. The stone’s rise to prominence followed the discovery of rich deposits near Ekaterinburg and Nizhnii Tagil in the 1810s–30s, leading to its use in major commissions, including the celebrated Malachite Room of the Winter Palace. Elegant and technically superb, this pair of tazze represents the pinnacle of early 19th-century Russian stone-cutting and design. Each: 9 3/8" high x 7 1/2" diameter
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 9.38 in (23.83 cm)Width: 7.5 in (19.05 cm)Depth: 7.5 in (19.05 cm)
  • Style:
    Neoclassical (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Circa 1830
  • Condition:
  • Seller Location:
    New Orleans, LA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 32-11081stDibs: LU891145332802

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