This Medici-shape vase is part of a splendid ensemble that comprises two vases and two tabletops all of Badakhshan lapis lazuli. The shape of the vase and its decoration show the influence of ancient art: the enormous krater is richly decorated with egg-and-dart moulding and lobed ornament. The vase is made of superb dark blue lapis lazuli with golden speckles using a mosaic technique. Thanks to the skilful selection and placement of small plates, the impression arises that the vase was fashioned from a single piece of stone. The play of colour in the stone is intensified by gilded bronze handles embellished with mascarons.
Originally this vase was kept in the storeroom of His Imperial Majesty’s Cabinet (an office managing the monarch's properties), then it adorned the Spanish Room of the Imperial Hermitage (now the Small Skylight (Italian) Room of the New Hermitage).