Antique French Bronze Sphinx Urns Palace Versailles Claude Ballin Garniture For Sale

Antique French Bronze Sphinx Urns Palace Versailles Claude Ballin Garniture
Item SpecificsFieldValueConditionFor parts or not working / Used (See description for damage)Age1850-1899TypeUrns / Mantel GarnituresStyleEgyptian Revival / Empire / ClassicalPrimary MaterialPatinated BronzeSecondary MaterialBlack Slate / Marble BaseOriginal/ReproductionOriginal 19th-Century Scale ReductionHeight16-1/2 inchesWidth / Depth7-3/4 inches x 5 inchesCountry/Region of OriginFrance (Designed after Claude Ballin)Detailed Item Description
Title:Pair of Antique 19th Century French Egyptian Revival Patinated Bronze Garniture Urns – After Claude Ballin (16-1/2\")Product Overview:
Up for sale is a beautiful and rare pair of19th-century French Egyptian Revival patinated bronze garniture urnsmounted on black slate or marble plinth bases. This exceptional campana-form design is directly modeled after the celebrated 17th-century classical garden vases created by royal goldsmithClaude Ballin for King Louis XIV at the Palace of Versailles. Smaller-scale bronze reductions like these were highly sought after by affluent Grand Tour travelers in the mid-to-late 1800s.While many 19th-century French mantle cassolettes and urns were created with matching dome lids or reversible candle-nozzle tops, this specific style is a faithful historical replica of the monumentalPalace of Versailles garden vases designed by Claude Ballin
Design & Craftsmanship:

• Sphinx Mounts:The handles are fully sculpted, wingless Egyptian sphinxes with traditional nemes headdresses perched elegantly along the rim.
• Classical Mascarons:The central wrap showcases heavy relief work, including detailed lion masks holding drop-ring loops and female mascaron busts flanked by scrolling foliage.
• Neoclassical Medallions:The bodies feature beautifully chased oval cameo medallions depicting bearded classical scholars/deities and laurel-wreath profiles.
• Construction:Authentic hollow-cast bronze panels anchored securely via an internal threaded steel rod running through the entire piece down to the base. It stands on four ornate bronze rosette bun feet.

Dimensions:

• Height:Approx. 16-1/2\"
• Base Dimensions:Approx. 7-3/4\" x 5\"

CRITICAL CONDITION REPORT (Please Read Before offerding):
These urns are structurally magnificent but do show significant signs of age and wear typical for authentic 19th-century stone and metalware:

1. Plinth Damage:One of the black slate/marble pedestal bases features a notable vertical structural fracture running through the side panel. There is evidence of a past, failing repair attempt with visible white chalky adhesive inside the seam. The stone pieces are physically separating.
2. Internal Degradation:The original internal plaster filling (used historically to weight the bases) is heavily crumbling and missing sections near the feet, which has compromised the lower stone alignment.
3. Cosmetic Wear:The upper molded edges of the slate have minor chips/fleabites. The bronze trim exhibits natural surface oxidation, dust, and patina in the crevices. One back brace has been previously replaced

Keep in mind the shipping price also covers handling fees, packaging materials & time, not just postage.

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