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

• Published in: Metropolitan Museum journal Vol. 57; p. 148
• Main Author: Budrina, Ludmila
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago University of Chicago Press 01.01.2022
• Subjects: Artisans; Demidov, Nicolai Nikitich; Precious stones; Thomire, Pierre Philippe; Vases
• ISSN: 0077-8958; 2169-3072
• DOI: 10.1086/723661

Since the middle of the last century, The Metropolitan 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 twelve-light 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. This research note reconstructs the pieces' history with Nicolai Demidov and his residence in Florence, Villa San Donato. Archival documents that have never before been published in English reveal Demidov's key role as a supplier of Russian malachite to skilled artisans in Italy and France, and his equally central position in shaping the European taste for this semiprecious stone as a luxury material for monumental furnishings.