What is an ormolu mount?

An ormolu mount is a cast bronze decorative element that has been gilded with gold. These mounts were secured to vases to protect the edges and enhance the visual richness of the piece. Craftsmen shaped these metal additions into handles, feet, and rim guards using classical architectural and floral motifs.

How do I identify a Sèvres style vase?

Sèvres style vases are typically recognised by their rich blue or pink ground colours, hand-painted pastoral or floral reserves, and heavy gilding. They often incorporate elaborate handles and neoclassical metal mounts. Many of these pieces date from the nineteenth century, drawing inspiration from the eighteenth-century royal French factory output.

Were these vases made as lamps?

Most of these vessels were originally manufactured as decorative ornaments, garnitures, or cassolettes rather than lighting fixtures. They were frequently converted into table lamps during the nineteenth or twentieth centuries by running electrical wiring through the centres. This conversion process was often executed with minimal disruption to the original ceramic and metal components.

What are cassolettes used for?

Cassolettes function as decorative urns with reversible lids that alternate between a solid top and an open burner form. Historically, they allowed homeowners to diffuse perfumes or display decorative stones within the interior. In modern settings, they serve primarily as symmetrical decorative objects flanking a central clock or mirror.