This large suite of eight cameos was created by the famous Italian gem-cutter Giovanni Calandrelli between 1821 and 1825 to the commission of Emperor Alexander I. The eight portraits carved in sardonyx depict, in pairs, the monarchs and military commanders of the countries in the coalition against Napoleon: Alexander I and Barclay de Tolly for Russia; Frederick William III and Blücher for Prussia; George IV and Wellington for Britain; Francis I and Schwarzenberg for Austria. The stones, set in gold, entered the Hermitage in two consignments of four gems: in 1821 and 1825.