A Rare Pair of Russian Porcelain Vases in the Persian Taste. Imperial Porcelain Factory, St. Petersburg, Period ...

Description

A Rare Pair of Russian Porcelain Vases in the Persian Taste
Imperial Porcelain Factory, St. Petersburg, Period of Alexander II (1855-1881), circa 1877
18 x 9 inches (45.7 x 22.9 cm) (each)

PROVENANCE:
Private collection, Florida.



In the aftermath of the disastrous Crimean War (1853-55) and the financial crisis in Russia that followed, the Imperial Porcelain Factory faced reduced financial support and yet was tasked with restructuring and modernizing production. The vast construction of new Imperial palaces during the reign of Emperor Nicholas I came to an end, however, the refurbishing and redecoration of the existing palaces and country cottages of the Imperial family continued as before.

Historicism, which emerged as a preferred decorating style in the first half of XIX century, continued to dominate the palatial architectural projects, often seamlessly combining neo-rococo, neo-gothic and oriental styles in a dazzling and theatrical effect. While formal drawing rooms and dining rooms were frequently decorated in a structured, symmetrical and often rigid neo-gothic style, and more private rooms were adorned with cozy and whimsical neo-rococo elements, the undisputed style of choice for men's offices, smoking and recreational rooms was an exotic and ornamental Oriental style, often interpreted as a rich pastiche of Persian and Turkish aesthetics, characterized by vibrant colors, geometric patterns, floral motifs and intricate calligraphy.

Several Russian Grand Dukes embraced this "Mauresque" Oriental style for redecoration of their private quarters, but perhaps the most well-known example of a grand Moorish-style Oriental drawing room (also alternatively known as Eastern or Ottoman room) was created for Grand Duke Alexander in 1851-1853 in the Zubov wing of the grand Catherine Palace in Tsarskoe Selo. Then still the heir apparent, Grand Duke Alexander (future Emperor Alexander II) tasked German artist Heinrich von Mayer to create an Oriental fantasy on a truly Imperial scale. From historical descriptions, surviving illustrations and later accounts it is known that the walls were completely covered with luxurious Persian carpets displaying an extensive collection of Turkish and Middle Eastern arms and armour. Low custom-made sofas with a profusion of velvet pillows lined the perimeter of the room where numerous porcelain and metal vases, bowls, lavishly decorated coffee pots and kumgans, trays and smoking utensils covered every surface of the low tables. Further theatrically was added by a collection of exotic Ottoman, Causasian and Persian military uniforms and jeweled daggers and swords, most of them presented as diplomatic gifts or brought from the East.

The offered lot of vases attests to the enduring fascination with the exotic and singular decorative arts of Egypt, Persia, Turkey, India and Japan that endured until the 1890s. The Middle East was always an important area of Russian foreign policy. Frequent contacts and trade agreements with the countries in the Middle and Far East ensured the steady flow of high quality decorative wares brought as diplomatic gifts to the Russian court, as well as frequent import of high quality wares arriving to St. Petersburg and Moscow via established trade routes to be sold to wealthy collectors and gentry class further fueled their love for the unusual and exotic luxury goods.

Imperial Porcelain and Glass Factories captured the trend by producing a limited number of vases and bowls in the Oriental style, with several examples now exhibited at the museums in Russia. Destined exclusively as decoration for the Imperial residencies or to serve as diplomatic gifts, such objects are increasingly rare today.

This pair of vases, therefore, is a splendid example of the factory's experimentation with this highly decorative style. Globular forms of the bases extend upwards by long and tapering necks. The form is unmistakably Ottoman in origin. The body richly gilded with profusion of floral and foliate motifs within three large almond-shaped cartouches outlined with consecutive bands of leafy garlands and fields of flower heads. Garlands of dusty-pink roses encircling blue arabesques are gracing the delicate elongated necks of the vases. Several horizontal green interlaced bands encircle the tapering necks. The visual effect is of dazzling richness and whimsical exoticism.

The mark underside suggests that the vases were made around 1874. The factory's records for that year have not survived in their entirety, and it is impossible to know which palace these vases were made for or which member of the Imperial family might have purchased them, but they stand as a wonderful example of high artistic quality for which the Imperial Porcelain Factory was known for and the enduring appeal of the exotic styles in the decorative arts of the second half of XIX century.

Of particular note is the fact that the current owners acquired one of these vases in the early 20th century and have had it in their family for generations. The second was spotted and the pair was reunited. This is the pair's first time at auction.

Heritage Auctions is grateful to Yelena Harbick for her research and catalog note for this lot.
Property from a private collection, Florida.

Estimate: $80,000 - $90,000.

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