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Pair of Large 19th Century Bronze Campana Urns

Price:$12,240

$13,600List Price

About the Item

A magnificent and richly detailed pair of large-scale patinated and gilt bronze campana-form vases, executed in the neoclassical tradition and inspired by the iconic Medici and Borghese urns—two of the most famous surviving examples of ancient Roman sculptural vessels. These vases were likely produced in France or Italy during the late 19th or early 20th century, at a time when classical revival styles dominated decorative arts and architecture. Drawing from high Roman prototypes, each urn features an egg-and-dart overhanging rim, a waisted body with mythological figures cast in deep relief, and a lower register adorned with stylized acanthus foliage. The sides are flanked by fluted handles, terminating in finely detailed satyr mask terminals—a classical motif symbolizing revelry and Dionysian excess. The urns rest on fluted socles above square plinth bases, enhancing their verticality and symmetry. Finished in a rich dark patina with gilt accents that highlight the relief and catch the light, both vases retain their original copper liners, indicating they were intended not only as sculptural objects but also for functional display, possibly as jardinieres. These forms were popularized in the 18th and 19th centuries through the Grand Tour, a rite of passage for wealthy European and American travelers who sought to absorb the art, architecture, and classical history of Italy and Greece. The Medici Vase, now in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, and the Borghese Vase, in the Louvre in Paris, were essential stops on this tour and widely admired. Bronze reproductions of these forms became highly coveted souvenirs—status symbols that conveyed taste, education, and worldliness. Such pieces were typically found in library interiors, great halls, orangery gardens, or formal drawing rooms—and were often mounted on stone pedestals or integrated into architectural schemes. In the American and European context, they were acquired by patrons of the decorative arts and aristocratic collectors during the 19th-century neoclassical revival, and later incorporated into the Gilded Age interiors of estates like The Breakers, Biltmore, or Villa Vizcaya. Today, their decorative power remains undiminished. In contemporary interiors, these urns can be used to introduce classical formality, juxtapose modern art collections, or anchor minimalist architecture with a sense of enduring culture. Designers such as David Netto, Miles Redd, Michael S. Smith, or Victoria Hagan might use such a pair to create a moment of drama—mixing the ancient and the modern to stunning effect. A superb and rare pair—steeped in Grand Tour history, classical mythology, and Old World craftsmanship—with a presence that transforms any room they inhabit.

Dimensions:
Height: 19.5 in (49.53 cm)Diameter: 15.25 in (38.74 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 2
Style:
Neoclassical (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Bronze,Ormolu,Gilt,Patinated,Polished
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
1870-1879
Date of Manufacture:
1870-1880
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. excellent with age related normal wear and few dents to the liners and some normal patination.
Seller Location:
Kilmarnock, VA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU88301424572

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