Vase - Gilt bronze, Breccia marble from Bénou

Elegant antique pair of decorative cassolettes or urns, fully composed of elements of marble and gilded bronze fastened on a central stem. Breccia marble from Bénou, Pyrenees, polychrome veined in tones blending ochre, burgundy, green and ivory, gilded bronze mounts, Chiselled, from the Napoléon III era, circa 1860-1880. Each piece features a handle with scrolls. The body is encircled by a frieze in gilded bronze with repoussé decoration of animated putti. The lower part is accentuated by foliated motifs and rests on a gilded bronze foot, itself set on a square marble base.

Height 35 cm, maximum width at the handles 14 cm, maximum diameter about 10 cm. Very good overall condition, fully cleaned. Bronze showing some light, discreet deformations, notably at the handles and at the feet and small discreet dents on one of them. The marbles are sound, noting slight wear at the base of one pedestal as well as a discreet old crack on the top of the body of one, not compromising and possibly original. There are also minor misalignments of the upper screws and a very slight overall tilt, consistent with age and not affecting stability or solidity. The pieces are not pierced and retain their original integrity. Approximately 4–4.2 kg each.