Cassolette (2) - Marble

In the 19th century, cassolettes were frequently used as decorative scent burners in the homes of the upper classes. These elegant objects served to disseminate pleasant aromas in living spaces. The holders were therefore filled with perfumed oil, herbs, or odorisers that could slowly evaporate or smolder, allowing the refined fragrance to fill the room. At a time when ventilation was limited, cassolettes helped mask unwanted odors and give the interior a pleasant scent. They were, therefore, a symbol of luxury, refinement, and good taste. They often appeared as part of a mantel garniture with an accompanying clock.

The French Napoleon III period (1852-1870) was characterized by the rise of the urban bourgeoisie who, thanks to the industrial revolution, would form a new elite. The Second Empire is thus typified by luxury and wealth and the use of expensive materials such as tropical woods, gilded bronze, and marble. The style itself is especially eclectic, combining elements from almost every French classical style of the previous centuries with Orientalism.

Condition report: Both cassolettes are still in good condition.