Pair of Louis XVI-style casolettes; third quarter of the 19th century.

Pair of Louis XVI-style casolettes; third quarter of the 19th century.
Roya Belgique marble and gilded bronze.
Measurements: 50 x 18 x 18 cm (x2).
Created during the third quarter of the 19th century, this pair of cassolette vases was made at a time when French historicism faithfully revived the forms and ornamental repertoire of Neoclassicism. The cassolette, originally conceived as a vessel for perfumes or aromatic essences, took on a primarily decorative function during the reign of Louis XVI. Inspired by the ritual vessels of Classical Antiquity discovered in the excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum, it became one of the most prized ornaments. In this pair, the composition precisely adheres to the canons of the style. The ovoid bodies rest on slender circular pedestals and square bases, creating an architectural silhouette. The balanced proportions, restrained ornamentation, and purity of the lines reflect the influence of the rediscovery of Greco-Roman antiquity, which replaced the exuberant flourishes of the Rococo with a beauty grounded in harmony, formal clarity, and measurement. The visual focus lies in the interplay between Rouge Belge marble—with its intense pink, violet, and white veins—and the delicate mountings of finely chiseled and fire-gilded bronze. This marble, historically quarried in Belgium and highly prized by French interior designers since the 18th century, was used in furniture and luxury objects due to the rich color of its surface and its excellent polishability. Of particular interest are the handles shaped like intertwined serpents, an iconography with deep classical roots.
Made during the third quarter of the 19th century, these casolettes date from the heyday of French historicist decorative arts, when specialized workshops continued to produce objects intended for a bourgeoisie and an aristocracy that still regarded French taste as the paradigm of European style.