Pair Of Casseroles

These imposing cassolettes were made of black marble and inlaid with natural red stones. These decorative vases date from the period between 1860 and 1870 and were often placed on the decorative fireplace, whether or not part of a fireplace set. Incense or other fragrances were burned in the holders themselves to dissipate the smell of the fireplace. In the 19th century, cassolettes were often used as decorative incense burners in the homes of the wealthy classes. These elegant objects served to diffuse pleasant scents throughout living spaces. The holders were therefore filled with scented oil, spices, or olfactory products that could slowly evaporate or burn, allowing the delicate fragrance to fill the room. In an era when ventilation was limited, cassolettes served to mask unwanted odors and pleasantly perfume the interior. They were therefore a symbol of luxury, refinement, and good taste. They were often part of a set of fireplaces accompanied by a clock.

The French period of Napoleon III (1852-1870) was marked by the rise of the urban bourgeoisie, which would form a new elite thanks to the Industrial Revolution. The Second Empire was therefore characterized by luxury, wealth, and the use of expensive materials such as tropical woods, gilded bronze, and marble. The style itself was rather eclectic, with elements of just about every classical French style from previous centuries combined with Orientalism.