A spectacular early C19th Russian malachite tazza of good scale and elegant form. The circular shallow dish with silvered-bronze mounted rim of styff leaf design, raised on a faceted spreading socle with octagonal pedestal with repeated octagonal plinth. 13" high x 10.75" diameter. Circa 1820-40.
 
Provenance: Christies 31/01/2018 Lot 207 (from the Collection of Sir David and Lady Tang and Property from Bywell Hall, Northumberland and Property from Howe)
 
Design by I.I. Galberg dating from 1820-40 and produced at the Ekaterinburg Imperial Lapidary Factory. The Neo-Classical form of the tazze and the use of malachite is typical of works produced at Ekaterinburg, founded in 1751 and the second of the Imperial Lapidary factories to be established.
 
A malachite tazze of neo-classical design was acquired by George IV for Windsor Castle, and is still in the Royal Collection.