Bidspirit auction | Pair of 19th Century Cobalt

Pair of 19th Century Cobalt Blue Glass Goblets by Bakhmetiev Manufactory - Pair of Goblets Bakhmetiev Glass Manufactory, Nikolsk First half of the 19th century Cobalt blue glass, gilding Height: 20.5 cm each A pair of faceted cobalt blue goblets decorated with gilded genre scenes depicting children at play and courting couples. One goblet features children playing cerceau — a hoop game that originated in France under Louis XIV. According to legend, the game symbolized devotion: a marquis caught his wife’s thrown ring on his sword, winning back her favor. The pastime became fashionable among the Russian nobility, especially among women and children, and represented grace and agility. The refined gilded decoration and deep cobalt tone exemplify the artistry of the Bakhmetiev manufactory, one of Russia’s most distinguished glassmaking centers of the 19th century.