Pair of cassolettes made of green marble with gilded bronze mounts. The stone shows a dark green base color with light, wavy veining; due to this pattern, it is often referred to as vert de mer — sea green.

The slender, urn-shaped body is supported by a wreath of leaves and transitions into a turned baluster foot, which stands on a square marble plate with a bead and reel border. The lids are removable.

The bronze mounts are finely chased: on the shoulders sit two Bacchante masks with hair intertwined with flowers — a motif that Classicism adopted from ancient sacrificial urns, where masks and garlands formed the vessel's ornamentation. Between the masks runs a three-dimensional floral garland. The neck ring is set with an openwork circular frieze and a leaf band, and the top is finished with a lid featuring a calyx of leaves and a pine cone.

Usage

Cassolettes originally served as scent vessels. Incense, scented pastilles, or aromatized essences were placed inside; the openwork circular frieze at the neck allowed the scent to escape. They were placed in pairs on mantelpieces, consoles, or commodes — both as a source of fragrance and as decorative objects.

Condition

The marble is undamaged, with no cracks and no restoration points. The cassolettes have been cleaned and are in their original condition.

Dimensions and execution

• Height: 44 cm
• Diameter: 16 cm
• Material: green marble (vert de mer), gilded bronze
• Decor: Bacchante masks, floral garlands, openwork circular frieze, bead and reel, pine cone
• Features: removable lids
• Quantity: pair
• Style period: Louis XVI
• Period of creation: 19th century
• Condition: Original condition, cleaned; marble undamaged, no cracks, no restoration points