Carved from Korgon porphyry, much prized for its violet-grey hue, this vase was given to Queen Victoria in May 1874, when Alexander II visited England to see his daughter who had married Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, in January that year. The technical complexity of carving such a monumental piece, with a finely contrasting matt and polished surface, is indicated by the time taken to produce it – almost eighteen months.

Gift of Emperor Alexander II to Queen Victoria, 1874.