Malachite Networks: The Demidov and Medici Vases-Torchères in The Met

Abstract

Museum of Art has held three extraordinary works executed by the Parisian atelier of Pierre Philippe Thomire, which incorporated Russian malachite. This richly patterned semiprecious stone, known for its brilliant green color, had strong associations with the Russian count, collector, and industrialist Nicolai Nikitich Demidov (1773–1828). The first, a monumental vase with gilt bronze figural handles, has been amply studied, and its history traced from the time of its making in 1819 for Demidov to its acquisition by the Museum in 1944. The others, impressive twelvelight torchères, were given to the Museum in 1964 by Rodman A. de Heeren, and until now had not been studied in depth or attributed to a specific patron (fig. 1a, b). This research note Malachite Networks: The Demidov and Medici VasesTorchères in The Met