Pair Of Cassolettes Of Neoclassical Decorative Arts.

This exceptional pair of cassolettes or decorative vases is a refined example of late 18th- to early 19th-century British neoclassical decorative arts.
The main body of the vases is made of Blue John, a rare variety of fluorspar quarried exclusively in Derbyshire, northern England, known for its swirling purple, blue, and golden veins. A prized and luxurious material, Blue John was typically reserved for elite commissions and was often paired with gilded and finely chiselled bronze mounts.
The vases are mounted in mercury-gilded bronze with rich neoclassical decoration: vine leaves and grape clusters adorn the rim, while the handles feature satyr heads and Bacchic masks. The elegant krater shape echoes classical antiquity, with balanced proportions and rich ornamental detail.
The square plinths, also made of Blue John, are framed by bronze bases with acanthus and classical motifs.
The most plausible date is between 1795 and 1810.