235. * A Swedish Neoclassical porphyry vase (of the Loka Risbergs type), late 18th century. A Swedish Neoclassical porphyry (Loka Risbergs) vase, late 18th century of tapering baluster form, the lid surmounted by a gilt-bronze pine cone finial and foliate collar, above a detached section and on a turned waisted stepped plinth and square-shaped plinth, damages and losses, 14.5cm diam. 33cm high, (5 1/2in diam. 12 1/2in high) Provenance Collection of Bengt Johansson (1870-1949), sold Bukowski, Stockholm, 20 October 1963, lot 542 (then offered as a pair), illustrated in catalogue, plate 57. Private Swiss Collection. This vase is a fine example of Swedish porphyry from the late 18th century Swedish manufactures. It is related relate to C.F. Sundvall's designs for porphyry vases, which were executed around 1788-1790 and to those by the Court ciseleur Fredrik Ludvig Rung of 1799 (see H. Sundblom, Porfyr, Stockholm, 1985). Porphyry was first discovered in the valley of Älvdalen (Elfdal) in 1731 but was not commercially exploited until after 1788 by Eric Hagström under the direction of Nils A.Bielke. Royal patronage of Swedish porphyry mines was taken up by Gustaf III but his death in 1792 meant that only a few items were ordered by him for Haga. Subsequent Kings of Sweden, but also the aristocracy and the Stockholm elite, purchased porphyry vases, tazze, and bowls for their decoration schemes and Swedish porphyry had subsequently become one of the symbols of the Swedish versions of the late Louis XVI and Empire styles. Due to its incredible popularity, porphyry production was cleverly used for lavish diplomatic presents. For several decades the workshops produced vases, urns and other monumental vessels often mounted with ormolu mounts either made in Sweden or mounted in France.