Large Pair Of Louis XVI Style Marble And Gilt Bronze Cassolettes

An elegant and visually striking pair of French cassolettes, finely crafted from beautifully veined Vert Campan marble, a distinctive French stone noted for its soft green-grey tones and intricate patterning. Each cassolette is adorned with well-executed gilt bronze mounts.

The domed lids are surmounted by stylised pine cone finials, a classical motif derived from Roman architecture, where such elements frequently appeared on gateposts, finials, fountains, and furniture. This tradition was later adopted and refined within neoclassical French design. Beneath the finials, the fluted covers rest upon pierced galleries, providing a light, ornamental contrast to the solid marble bodies.

Bold, sculptural ram’s head handles flank each urn, another hallmark of neoclassical decoration, rendered with remarkable naturalism and presence. From these, festoons of intricately cast and chiselled floral garlands are suspended, adding richness and movement to the composition. The bodies taper gracefully to circular socles, each mounted on a square marble plinth and further embellished with detailed gilt bronze foliate mounts and ropework borders.

This pair of marble and gilt bronze cassolettes is executed to a high standard and remains in excellent condition.


Origin: France, circa 1850.

Dimensions: Height 46 cm (18.1″); Width 24 cm (9.5″); Depth 20 cm (7.9″).
Base dimensions: 12.5 x 12.5 cm (4.9″ x 4.9″) .