Hand-Made Crystal Vase First Sputnik, by Krasnyy Gigant ("Red Giant") Factory, circa 1960s.
Petite but massive, stands 6 ¼" tall weighing in at close to 3 lbs. The artwork features a stylized image of the first Sputnik on one side, and a rocket rising into space on the other. The rocket is most likely a reference to the giant 351-foot-tall monument "To Conquerors of the Cosmos" erected in 1964 in Moscow near the entrance to VDNKh fairgrounds. The crystal mass is toned in the pale understated yellowish-green tone of the gem beryl, adding elegance to the airy design of the artwork.
In excellent condition, showing just a few tiny scuffs to the crystal on the side of the roc
Petite but massive, stands 6 ¼" tall weighing in at close to 3 lbs. The artwork features a stylized image of the first Sputnik on one side, and a rocket rising into space on the other. The rocket is most likely a reference to the giant 351-foot-tall monument "To Conquerors of the Cosmos" erected in 1964 in Moscow near the entrance to VDNKh fairgrounds. The crystal mass is toned in the pale understated yellowish-green tone of the gem beryl, adding elegance to the airy design of the artwork.
In excellent condition, showing just a few tiny scuffs to the crystal on the side of the rocket monument, not easy to notice and not detractive. The bottom shows traces of old glue, most likely left over from the factory paper tag. It is barely visible through the thick crystal and not intrusive to the eye.
The Red Giant Crystal Factory is one of the oldest enterprises in Russia manufacturing hand-made crystal decorative items. It was founded in 1764 with consent of Empress Ekaterina II by a retired army officer Alexey Bakhmetev in Nikolsk, Penza Province. The factory produced crystal tableware and elements of palace décor, including light fixtures of various types and forms. The Soviet government used the artistic talents of the factory masters to manufacture optics for tanks, submarines, and rockets. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, manufacturing continued until 2008. In 2010 the equipment and real estate of the factory was sold off, four years before reaching its 250th anniversary. One of the workshops was purchased by a Moscow entrepreneur who brought in new foreign equipment and organized a small corporation "The Bakhmetev Workshop". The enterprise employs about 100 workers and continues the rich traditions of manufacturing high-quality crystal in traditional Russian designs.
Please note that the white rose in our photo is for size reference.
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