CIRCA 1830

The valley of lvdalen (Elfdal) and its bordering parishes in Sweden appear to have been the only serous European mining sources for porphyry in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Mining started in the 1780's and the works were acquired by Charles XIV. During this time many porphyry objects were distributed throughout Europe as diplomatic presents. Most of the varieties of porphyry were named after the parishes of Elvdalen from where they were quarried, as is the case of the vases offered here. The Elvaden works were sold by the Royal Family in 1856 and were destroyed by fire ten years later. Subsequent production was sporadic and limited.