Pair Of Empire Gilt Bronze Cassolettes With Winged Sphinxes, France, Empire Period

This pair of gilt bronze cassolettes perfectly illustrates the monumental aesthetic of the Empire style, deeply inspired by rediscovered Antiquity and the imperial iconography developed during the reign of Napoleon I. Each cassolette takes the form of a classical urn resting on finely chiseled winged sphinxes. These figures support the whole and rise from cylindrical bases decorated with gilt bronze appliqués representing imperial emblems, notably eagles and stars, set against a dark patinated background. The quality of execution testifies to the expertise of the great Parisian bronze workers of the early 19th century: precise chasing, harmonious proportions, and rich mercury gilding (ormolu). The set reflects the powerful and symbolic decorative language characteristic of the decorative arts created for the prestigious imperial interiors of the period. Height: 26 cm