Pair of ormolu mounted French malachite vases after Galberg

In Campana form and mounted upon stepped square malachite bases which stand upon gilt-bronze paw feet, these beautiful vases are made after a design by Ivan Ivanovich Galberg, an important and highly regarded architect of the Imperial Russian court, and who is also known to have worked at the prestigious Ekaterinburg Imperial Lapidary Factory. 

This pair of malachite vases, which testify to the Russian vogue for this vibrant green gemstone, each stand on a fluted stem, which are turn mounted with ormolu bands and foliate ribbons. The vases’ bell-shaped bodies, which are reminiscent of the Classical kalyx krater shape, are, towards the base, gadrooned and adorned with ormolu bead-and-reel and ovolo bands. The body of each object is mounted with a pair of stunning ormolu handles, which are ornamented with classical male bearded masks where they attach to the body of the vases. 

The malachite is naturally adorned with a wonderful arrary of bands and patterns, the beauty and uniqueness of the natural material complements superbly the design by Galberg, replete with its radiant gilt finishings. They combine an unparalled sophistication with a real visual dominance - they cannot help but be the centrepiece of any room in which they are displayed.