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. The stof bears a portrait of Saint George who is known by the tale about St. George and the Dragon. The set also includes couple of shots made in the same style. It has been created in imitation of items made by the St Petersburg Glassworks in the first half of the 18th century. Such a vessel may have belonged to a set of tableware used at court on particularly grand occasions. Alternatively, articles of this kind were often given as rewards to courtiers who had distinguished themselves in some way.

Stof and 2 shots. Cobalt glass. Hand-engraved. Decanter: height 11 in. (28 cm), diam. 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm).