Pair of antique Russian pink griotte marble and ormolu vases with covers

18124: Pair of antique Russian pink griotte marble and ormolu vases with covers
Russian, 19th Century
Height 41cm, width 16cm, depth 9cm

This impressive pair of garniture urns, dating from 19th century Russia, exemplifies the elegance and refinement of the Louis XVI style. Crafted from vibrant pink griotte marble and adorned with expertly chased gilt-bronze mounts, the urns are designed as cassolettes – ornamental vessels originally intended for perfume or incense but later prized as decorative objects in classical interiors.
Hardstone garnitures have long been celebrated for their ability to combine luxurious materials with classical form. Pink griotte marble, with its deep rose hue and dramatic veining, was particularly valued for its warmth, vibrancy, and association with refinement. Its rich colouring brings life and theatricality to the urns, while the gilt-bronze mounts reference classical motifs, including mythological figures, acanthus ornamentation, and sculpted friezes, reflecting the enduring influence of antiquity on 19th-century European decorative arts.
Each urn presents a slender, tapering body topped by a gracefully swept cover finished with an acorn finial, symbolising endurance and strength. The marble surfaces are further enlivened with applied gilt-bronze friezes of dancing bacchanalian figures, flanked by expressive goat-head masks connected by scrolling mounts. Supporting the vessels are standing winged putti, modelled with delicate attention to detail, from the texture of their wings to the soft modelling of their features. The urns rest on conforming plinth bases adorned with laurel leaves, beaded swags, and classical mouldings, raised on elegant toupie feet that complete the harmonious composition.
This pair follows the same design as a fully ormolu example in the Palace of Pavlovsk, Russia, with two additional ormolu models recorded in the 1928 Soviet sales at Rudolph Lepke, Berlin. The design is attributed to the renowned bronzier Frederick Bergenfeldt (1760–1822), who drew inspiration from the French master Claude Galle.
With their combination of vivid marble, refined gilt-bronze work, and classical motifs, these urns represent a striking garniture ensemble.
A similar pair was sold at Christie’s, ‘Champalimaud Collection’, London, 6th-7th July 2005, Lot 195 (£45,600).
$ 27,000