Object Description
A pair of mid to late 19th century French terracotta garden urns with cherubs after a design by Claude Ballin (1615-1678). An almost identical depiction in bronze resides in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. This pair were sourced from an estate in Scotland.
Each is of a matching design depicting a large, highly decorative urn with lattice border, turned socle and embellishments between twin handles in the form of sulking cherubs above lion faces. Thanks to their impressive scale and aged, ancient look, this pair of antique vases make a magnificent feature in any setting, instilling a space with grandeur and period French opulence.
Goldsmith to Louis XIV, Claude Ballin was a talented French goldsmith and metalworker of the 17th century. Commissioned to create several garden vases for the Palace of Versailles, Ballin’s vases and urns gained popularity throughout Europe. A drawing from the Met Museum pictured showcases the design for a large vase executed in bronze for the gardens of Versailles dating from circa 1665. Reproductions of the vase are often cast in iron, making this terracotta pair a rare find.
Additional Information
Each urn: H80 x W67 x D48 cm