Pair Of Cassolettes In Breccia Marble And Gilt Bronze, Napoleon III 19th Century

An elegant antique pair of decorative cassolettes or urns, filled with marble and gilt bronze elements screwed onto a central stem. Made of polychrome veined breccia marble from Bénou, Pyrenees, in shades of ochre, burgundy, green, and ivory, with chased gilt bronze mounts, dating from the Napoleon III period, circa 1860-1880. Each piece features a mount with scrolled handles. The body is encircled by a gilt bronze frieze decorated with repoussé putti. The lower section is adorned with foliate motifs and rests on a gilt bronze foot, itself set on a matching square marble base. Height 35 cm, maximum width at the handles 14 cm, maximum diameter approximately 10 cm. In very good overall condition, fully cleaned. The bronze exhibits some minor, discreet imperfections, particularly on the handles and feet, and a few small, discreet dents on one of the cassolettes. The marble pieces are sound, with only slight wear at the base of one plinth and a faint, old creak on the upper part of one, which does not weaken the structure and is possibly original. There are also minor adjustment issues with the upper screws and a very slight overall misalignment, consistent with age and not affecting stability or strength. The pieces are undrilled and retain their original integrity. Approximately 4-4.2 kg each.