Pair of lidded alabaster vases

Auction catalogues in the 1700s described this type of vase as a navicella, or little boat, because of its undulating oval form. Hardstone carving, practiced extensively in antiquity, was revived in the 1550s, with production focused in Rome by the early 1600s. Intended to evoke the splendor of ancient times, hardstone vases were often modeled on ancient Roman forms. The highly polished surface and gentle curves of these vases defy the unyielding nature of this stone, a rare type of alabaster.

Objects carved from prized stones were collected by the nobility to be displayed in their galleries and Kunstkammern or collector's cabinets. Vessels carved from golden alabaster, such as these vases, were especially coveted because of the material's rarity and rich color.