French, 19th century
Pair of Marble Urns with Ram’s Head Mounts
Green marble with gilt-bronze mounts, 16 ¼ × 11 ¼ in.
This pair of decorative urns reflects the neoclassical revival of the 19th century, when motifs drawn from antiquity were adapted for luxurious interiors. The vessels are carved from deep green marble and fitted with gilt-bronze ram’s heads—symbols associated with strength, sacrifice, and classical mythology.
The combination of hardstone and gilt bronze was particularly admired in French decorative arts, echoing the grandeur of earlier works produced under Louis XVI and Napoleon. Set on square plinths with classical borders, these urns would have served as elegant garnitures, balancing sculptural presence with refined ornament.
