A Russian Glass Paste Cameo Depicting Empress Catherine II "The Great" as Minerva After the original by Grand Duchess Maria Feodorovna, signed in cast, circa 1790 3-1/2 x 2-1/8 inches (8.9 x 5.4 cm) The Grand Duchess Maria Feodorovna, born Princess Sophia Dorothea of Wurttemberg, was a skilled turner of wood and ivory, and known for her ability as a carver of cameos, a skill she learned under the guidance of her tutor, Professor Carl Leberecht. Drawing inspiration from examples in the Hermitage, one of her works, an image of Empress Catherine II as Minerva, was later cast in glass paste by the Imperial Glass Factory, and several versions survive. This cameo is signed in the cast, reading "MARIA F, 21 Apr 1789." There is a related example on an amber glass ground in the collection of the Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens (Cat. No. 23.27.). Another example was sold, Sotheby's London, Russian Works of Art, Faberge & Icons, November 27, 2018, lot 486. HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved