18TH CENTURY

This impressive vase, carved from Granito di Bigio, a stone found in the Eastern deserts of Egypt, bears similarities to vases in the Galleria dei Candelabri in the Vatican. Granito di Bigio was a favoured stone used by Giuseppe Valadier and his workshop in the early-nineteenth century, and can be found in an impressive inkstand centrepiece, sold Christie's, London, 6 December 2012, lot 63 (£27,500, including premium).