Lot Essay
In 1824, the Imperial Glass Works produced the first so-called Banquet Service as a present from the future Emperor Nicholas I to his wife, the Grand Duchess Alexandra Feodorovna. This service used a recently developed French technique in which a sheet of enameled gold foil decorated with the initials of the Grand Duchess was encased between two layers of glass. Using this service as a model, the factory produced banquet services for other members of the Russian Imperial Family, often as dowries upon their marriages. Most of these services were produced in the 1850s, during the reign of Nicholas I, with replacements being made into the 1880s. Although a number of these Banquet Services have been identified, more await further research.
A single green glass goblet from this service was sold Christie's, New York, 24 April 2009, lot 84.
A single green glass goblet from this service was sold Christie's, New York, 24 April 2009, lot 84.