A handsome pair of French Louis XVI style cut crystal and patinated metal covered urns (cassolettes), dating to the late 19th or early 20th century. Each urn features a classical baluster-form body of clear crystal, finely cut with vertical fluting to the upper section and a diamond-cut cross-hatch pattern to the lower third. The urns are mounted with elaborate Neoclassical patinated metal collars, featuring twin handles cast as classical female caryatids transitioning into acanthus leaf scrolls, draped with floral swags and centered by ribbon-tied laurel wreaths.

Historical & Style Details

• Style: Louis XVI Revival / Neoclassical
• Material / Technique: Cut crystal, cast and patinated metal (likely spelter or bronze)
• Markings: Taped handwritten inventory label to the interior of one urn reading "$800.00 / PR / Gale, Harder / 2-4-09"
• Decorative Details: Classical female caryatid handles, ribbon-tied laurel wreaths, floral swags, fluted and diamond-cut crystal, pinecone finials, acanthus-molded bases
• Condition: Overall excellent antique condition; light surface wear and minor oxidation/patina to the metal mounts consistent with age; glass is clear with no major chips or cracks observed; interior label secured with old adhesive tape.

History

These urns are exemplary of the Louis XVI Revival (or Belle Époque Neoclassical) style that flourished in France and across Europe during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Drawing inspiration from the elegant, symmetrical designs of late 18th-century French decorative arts, such cassolettes were highly prized as mantelpiece or sideboard ornaments in affluent households. The combination of brilliant cut crystal with finely detailed cast metal mounts reflects the high standards of European decorative manufacturing during this period.