Tobacco Box

Royal Prussian Iron Foundries

About 1825

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Round black basalt intaglio with profile portrait, "ALEXANDRE I EMPEREUR/DE TOUTES LES RUSSIES"
Heavy vase with a barrel shape that tapers in towards the base of the form. The exterior is decorated with impressed bands that begin a third of the way down the form that vary in dimension, gradually diminishing as they continue downward. The body's exterior is primarily an off-white/beige stoneware with darker areas that are rust brown in color. The body is covered in a glaze that gives the stoneware an almost gray cast. This glaze is not even and at several points is interrupted, creating a splotchy effect. The tapered part of the form is primarily rust brown in color, with some lighter, almost orange or tan parts to it. The impressed bands continue once the tapering ends. The bottom of the base is rust brown with a dark tan/mustard center. The lip of the vase extends out from the form towards the center, approximately 2.2 cm. Its outer edge is primarily a dark tan/mustard color that transitions to a rust brown and then a cooler brown. The vase's interior is an irregular dark green color with white lines that correspond in location with some of the exterior's impressed bands.
Faience helmet-shaped ewer with harp-shaped handle and modeled "mascaron" or mask under the lip, painted in underglaze blue camaïeu on white "décor à lambrequin"
Heavy mug with cylindrical, slightly waisted form that flares out to a ridge and then tapers towards the base. The mug's exterior is glazed brown and the exterior ridges appear white. The mug has thin horizontal, impressed lines circling the form. The interior is glazed green and also has imprinted, thin lines.