Elegant Pair of French Empire-Style Marble Cassolettes with Gilt Bronze Mounts – 19th Century

Elegant pair of French ornamental marble vases, or cassolettes, dating from the second half of the 19th century and executed in a refined Empire style. The vases are made of richly veined red marble, with white and grey veining, of the type traditionally referred to as “Rouge Royal” or “Griotte”, and are enriched with finely chased mercury-gilt bronze mounts.

Each vase features a slender ovoid body with a narrow neck and a removable lid surmounted by a finely chiselled pinecone finial. The two handles are modelled as elegant swans' necks, with engraved plumage and heads turned downwards, creating a particularly striking sculptural effect.

The bodies are decorated with richly relief-modelled garlands of roses and foliage, suspended from ribbon bows. The vases stand on elegant fluted cup-shaped gilt bronze feet, each mounted on a matching square marble plinth.

The combination of richly coloured marble, finely worked gilt bronze and refined Empire ornamentation makes this French pair of antique cassolettes an imposing decorative ensemble, particularly suitable for classical interiors, consoles and collections of 19th-century French decorative arts.

Origin: France
Period: Second half of the 19th century
Style: Empire
Dimensions: 25 x 22 x 56h cm

SKU: 17565