Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5

Pair Of Blue John And Bronze Cassolettes

About the Item

Blending natural wonder and artistic prowess, this magnificent pair of cassolettes is a symphony of craftsmanship. The intricate gilt bronze decor, only made possible by the finest craftsmen of the 19th century, is further elevated by the bodies, formed from stunning examples of Blue John. The Blue John specimens are not only remarkable in size but also stunning in the natural patterns of the hardstone. The translucent crystalline layers of the stone radiate outwards in bands of deep blues, rich purples and golden yellows. It embodies all of the best attributes of this highly coveted material. Only the most gifted of artisans were charged with crafting exquisite masterworks such as this, as Blue John demands a great deal of skill in its handling. A soft and brittle stone, it responds very quickly to heat and must be carefully dried to retain its original color. The term "cassolette" is from the French word cassole, meaning "small container." While the word has other meanings in culinary respects, in the decorative arts, cassolettes are small covered vases meant to hold perfumed substances or incense. Popular during the 18th and 19th centuries, these objets d'art were crafted from all manner of materials, including marble, porcelain and bronze. The most coveted examples were formed from desirable stones such as Blue John, amethyst or chalcedony, as seen in the present pair. Late 19th century Each: 11" high x 5 7/8" wide x 4" deep
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 11 in (27.94 cm)Width: 5.88 in (14.94 cm)Depth: 4 in (10.16 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 2
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Late 19th century
  • Condition:
  • Seller Location:
    New Orleans, LA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 31-83481stDibs: LU891138550422

More From This Seller

View All
Louis XVI Gilt Marble Cassolettes And Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
The bodies of this exquisite pair of Louis XVI-style cassolettes, along with a complementary clock, are crafted from exceptional specimens of white marble, each measuring almost a fo...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Vases

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Georgian Blue John and Silver Urn
By Sir William Chambers
Located in New Orleans, LA
This important George III blue John urn is attributed to famed Swedish architect Sir William Chambers. The solid piece is carved entirely from rare Blue...
Category

Antique 18th Century English Neoclassical Urns

Materials

Stone, Marble

Blue John Closed Urn
Located in New Orleans, LA
This beautiful ornamental urn is carved of rare Blue John Derbyshire spar, taken from the now-extinct Blue John Cavern in Derbyshire, England. Crafted in a classically-inspired shape, this closed urn evokes the elegance of the Georgian period. Since the Roman era, Blue John was used to create fine decorative wares. This intriguing stone demands a great deal of skill in its handling and was the material most favored by silversmith Matthew Boulton, especially for the creation of his stoneware vases. A soft and brittle stone, it responds very quickly to heat, and must be carefully dried in order to retain its original color. This urn is wonderful example of Blue John artistry, circa 1810 Measures: 11 5/8" high Discovered by the Romans over 2,000 years ago, Blue John stone...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Georgian Urns

Materials

Stone

Pair of Bronze Vases by Christofle
By Christofle
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair of Gilded Bronze Vases Christofle Circa 1930 This rare pair of Christofle bronze vases epitomizes the pinnacle of French decorative arts from t...
Category

20th Century French Art Nouveau Vases

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Moser Glass and Enamel Vases
By Moser
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair of Glass and Enamel Acorn Vases Moser Late 19th Century This exquisite pair of miniature two-handled vases exemplifies the remarkable artistry of Moser, one of the most celebra...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Czech Bohemian Vases

Materials

Glass

Sèvres Porcelain and Dorè Bronze Vases
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair of Porcelain and Dorè Bronze Vases Sèvres Circa 1845 With porcelain vessels in the iconic Sèvres cobalt blue, encased in lavish doré bronze armatures, this pair of Louis XVI-style urns epitomizes the masterful craftsmanship and refined beauty of the famed porcelain manufactory. Each urn is adorned with three finely chased caryatid figures joined by floral garlands, resting upon a reticulated circular gilt bronze base. Since its founding in the 18th century, the Sèvres porcelain manufactory has been synonymous with the finest porcelain wares. Established under the patronage of Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour, the firm quickly became the official royal porcelain producer. Throughout the 19th century, Sèvres expanded its repertoire, designing distinct vase forms that ranged from neoclassical grandeur to Gothic delicacy. These exceptional urns pay homage to Pierre Gouthière, one of the most renowned bronze artists of the preceding century. Appointed gilder to King Louis XV in 1767, Gouthière revolutionized metalwork, pioneering a gilding technique that achieved an exquisite matte finish. Similar caryatid figures appear on vases once owned by the Duke of Talleyrand, while similar mermaid motifs—prevalent in Gouthière’s work—can be found on a serpentine marble vase in the Louvre. These vases embody the grandeur of Louis XVI-style ornamentation, blending rich materials with impeccable detail. Each: 19 3/4 high x 13" diameter Marked under bronze Sèvres Louis Philippe...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Vases

Materials

Bronze

You May Also Like

Pair Of Marble And Bronze Cassolettes, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Pair of green marble cassolettes with rich gilded bronze ornamentation: women's heads, goats' feet, lid with pine cone Good general condition, some chips in the marble 19th century...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Urns

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair Of Marble And Bronze Cassolettes, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Pair of red marble cassolettes, with bronze ornamentation: rams' heads, pearl threads, pine cones Cassolettes late 19th century, in good general condition, note some scratches on th...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Urns

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of 19th Century Marble and Bronze Cassolettes
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of 19th Century Marble & Bronze Cassolettes make an excellent choice for providing beauty, elegance and symmetry to any room! Such decorative items were created for the affluen...
Category

Antique 1890s French Belle Époque Urns

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair Of Marble And Bronze Cassolettes, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Pair of Louis XVI style cassolettes, in green marble with rich gilded bronze ornamentation: rams' heads, flower garlands Good general condition, regilded bronzes, old restorations a...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Vases

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair Of Marble And Bronze Cassolettes, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Pair of light green marble cassolettes with gilded bronze ornamentation: garlands of flowers and leaves, putti heads, pine cone lids Some wear and scratches, old restorations to the...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Urns

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Pair of Cassolettes
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of Cassolettes from the 19th century. Marble and gilded bronze, in the style of Louis XVI
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Urns

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Recently Viewed

View All