Pair 19th C Bronze and Potoro Marble Empire Style Urns

Details

Description

An extraordinary and highly unusual pair of antique French neoclassical gilt bronze urns, distinguished by their magnificent architectural construction, exceptionally … Read more An extraordinary and highly unusual pair of antique French neoclassical gilt bronze urns, distinguished by their magnificent architectural construction, exceptionally intricate decorative details, and beautiful black Portoro marble bases. These remarkable pieces possess an elegance and originality rarely encountered in traditional decorative urns. Their tall, openwork silhouettes, sculptural ornamentation, and beautifully balanced proportions create an impressive visual presence, making them a particularly desirable pair for collectors of fine European decorative arts.

What makes these urns especially captivating is their exceptionally unusual design. Rather than resting upon conventional solid pedestals, each urn is elevated upon an elaborate architectural framework composed of slender vertical supports and dramatically intersecting diagonal elements. This sophisticated construction gives the pieces an extraordinary sense of height, lightness, and transparency while retaining the richness and grandeur associated with French neoclassical decoration.

The upper section of each piece features a beautifully modeled circular bronze vessel with a broad open mouth and gently rounded body. The upper rims are elegantly molded, with small spherical ornaments positioned along their edges. Immediately beneath the rim is a finely detailed band of classical egg-and-dart ornamentation, lending a wonderful sense of refinement and architectural precision.

The bodies of the urns are particularly impressive, decorated with an intricate arrangement of overlapping foliage, scrolling ribbons, and richly textured ornamental motifs. These elaborate decorations create a wonderful interplay of light and shadow across the warm gilded surfaces.

On either side of each vessel are magnificent sculptural handles fashioned in the form of boldly modeled classical animal heads, their expressive features and tightly curled forms adding considerable personality and decorative richness. These unusual handles give the urns an almost archaeological quality, recalling the ornamental vocabulary of ancient Greek and Roman ceremonial vessels.

Beneath each urn, the extraordinary supporting structure becomes the central decorative feature. Tall, tapering bronze uprights descend toward the base, connected by beautifully arranged intersecting diagonal braces. These elements form striking geometric patterns that are both visually dramatic and remarkably elegant.

At the intersections of the diagonal supports are delicately modeled floral rosettes, while suspended ornamental details resembling clusters of fruit or foliage hang beneath the upper vessels. Additional decorative elements enrich the lower sections, including small classical finials, stylized floral motifs, and wonderfully sculpted paw feet.

The animal paw feet are particularly attractive, giving the slender architectural supports a strong classical foundation. Their naturalistic modeling contrasts beautifully with the crisp geometric lines of the framework, demonstrating the remarkable decorative imagination behind these unusual objects.

The bronze surfaces display a beautiful warm golden patina, with subtle variations in tone, darker recessed areas, and gentle signs of age that enhance their antique character. The combination of gilded highlights and naturally mellowed bronze gives the pieces a rich, sophisticated appearance without appearing excessively ornate.

Each urn rests upon a substantial square base of beautiful **black Portoro marble**, distinguished by its dramatic golden and cream-colored veining. The dark marble provides a magnificent visual contrast to the warm bronze, emphasizing the architectural construction and giving each piece an elegant, grounded presence.

The Portoro marble bases are especially appealing, their naturally irregular veining adding another dimension of luxury and decorative interest to the composition.

These urns would make a spectacular statement displayed as a pair upon an important antique console, flanking a grand mantelpiece, or positioned symmetrically within a formal entrance hall, library, or elegant drawing room.

Their unusually tall proportions, open architectural design, intricate classical ornamentation, and striking marble bases distinguish them from more conventional decorative urns.

**An exceptionally beautiful, unusual, and highly decorative pair of antique French neoclassical gilt bronze urns on Portoro marble bases.** Their remarkable construction, elaborate sculptural details, elegant proportions, and sophisticated combination of bronze and marble make them a truly captivating and distinctive addition to any important collection of European decorative arts



Dimensions: 25.75 inches high x 9.25 inches wide x 9.25 inches deep See less