Vase with lid. France, second half of the 19th century

Vase with lid. France, second half of the 19th century.
Marble and gilded bronze.
In good condition.
Provenance: French collection.
Measurements: 53 x 40 x 28 cm.

An ornamental vase conceived as a showpiece designed to take pride of place in the most distinguished interiors. Its design draws on the refined neoclassical and Louis XVI repertoire, reinterpreted in accordance with the historicist taste that flourished in the French decorative arts of the period. The body, crafted from an attractive marble with an intense reddish hue and pronounced veining, takes the form of a large fluted urn and is embellished with a magnificent gilded bronze mount. Particularly noteworthy are the sinuous handles, the plant motifs, and the leaf moldings, as well as the pinecone finial that crowns the lid. The brilliant gold of the bronze creates a sophisticated hallmark of contrast with the deep tones of the stone, enhancing the luxurious and sculptural character of the piece as a whole.