SECOND QUARTER 19TH CENTURY

With its cut and polished steel decoration, this tea-caddy relates to the ornamental objects produced by the Tula factory south of Moscow. Founded in 1712, the Tula arms factory became the centre of Russian arms production. However, after the second quarter of the 18th Century, the factory became increasingly renowned for the production of richly-decorated ornamental 'Tulaware' in characteristic cut and polished steel, often with contrasting blued-steel embellishments. The factory was extensively patronised by Catherine II, who purchased numerous Tulaware items for the Palace of Pavlovsk.