The Grotto Pavilion, Moscow's Kuskovo Estate, Russia,
The architectural and landscape ensemble of Count Sheremetev’s favourite estate was developed in 1750–1770, when owning a French-style formal park was the brightest demonstration of wealth and high position for Russian aristocracy.
The stone-made structure of the Shell Grotto was designed by a serf architect Fyodor Argunov and building took about five years — from 1756 till 1761. The interior was to represent the combination of stone and water elements.
In 1761, Sheremetev invited Johannes Focht, a 'grotto specialist', to decorate his pavilion. His work took almost three times as long as the grotto's construction and was completed by 1775.
The most amazing decorative elements were thousands of shells of 24 different types delivered from the Mediterranean, Red and Black Seas, the Sea of Japan, and reservoirs of the Moscow region.
