EARLY 19TH CENTURY

Porphyry was first discovered in Sweden at Älvdalen in 1731 but was not commercially exploited until after 1788 by Eric Hagström under the direction of Nils Adam Bielke. For several decades the workshops produced vases, urns and other monumental vessels often mounted with ormolu mounts either made in Sweden or mounted in France. The workshops were acquired by Maréchal Bernadotte - who reigned as Karl XIV Johann from 1818 to 1844 - and stayed in Royal ownership until 1856. Production largely ceased following a disastrous fire in 1869. Various porphyry items were intended as gifts by Bernadotte who presented numerous porphyry objects to Napoleon's maréchaux and other French dignitaries. A large number of these still remain in France, such as the vase given to Maréchal Girard, which was offered at Christie's, Monaco, 2 July 1993, lot 235.