The set is made of cobalt glass, which came into fashion in Russia in the second half of the 18th century, in the reign of Empress Catherine II. A contemporary artist has embellished the decanter with the engraved and gilded emblem of the Russian Empire, while the glasses demonstrate traditional Russian ornament. According to tradition, such glassware - adorned with the double-headed Eagle - was produced by the Imperial porcelain or glass factories to be either presented to someone to show the royal honor or used at receptions at the royal court.

Decanter and six glasses.
Cobalt glass. Hand-engraved.
Decanter:
height 9 1/2 in. (24 cm),
diam. 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm);
wine glasses:
height 3 1/8 in. (8 cm),
diam. 1 5/8 in. (4 cm).