Ref.3889
Series of sculpted face and decorative elements in Sun stone of the Ardennes, late 19th century

This series of Neo-Renaissance mural sculptures was made in the late 19th century in Sun stone from the Ardennes, also called stone of Dom. They were originally adorning the facade of a Belgian building. This stone with a very typical yellow color comes from the Dom Le Mesnil quarries which had provide the substance of many constructions such as the Place ducale in Charleville-Mézières for instance. Its exploiting was ended in 1951. Our series of sculptures is composed of eight high relief portraits, four men and four women, dressed in the Renaissance style, and three faces of old men made in the grotesque style that we could find in abundance in the decor during the Renaissance period. We also add a series of architectural decorations in the same style, with cartouche and medallion.

Ref.15300
Jules CANTINI, Large Urn in Numidia Red Breccia Marble,second half of the 19th century

This vase, crafted from Numidia Red Breccia was sculpted in the second half of the 19th century by the sculptor Jules Cantini. Jules Cantini (1826-1916) developed a deep familiarity with marble early in his career, working alongside his brother in a decorative sculpture workshop. He operated several quarries, first near Marseille, his hometown, and later in Italy and Algeria, where the Numidia Red Breccia for this vase was sourced. His business flourished through collaborations with various artists, and he became a significant patron of the arts. In 1908, he was awarded the Légion d’Honneur. The design of both the vase and its pedestal is distinctly neoclassical. The base features alternating fluted quarter columns and flat panels with rectangular moldings. The top of the pedestal bears the artist’s signature. The vase’s overall form is reminiscent of the Warwick Vase, an ancient artifact discovered around 1771 in the ruins of Hadrian’s Villa, later acquired by the second Earl of Warwick, who commissioned a greenhouse specifically to house the piece. Cantini simplified the form: a molded base supports the lower part of the body, which is adorned with gadroons. Above, the concave central section is framed by two delicately sculpted handles with scrolls and vegetal interlaces, between two beadwork friezes. The upper rim flares out elegantly. The choice of Numidia Red Breccia marble is key to the vase’s ornamental appeal. Sourced from the Kristel quarry in Algeria, this marble is prized for its decorative qualities in furniture and art objects. The carved embellishments interact beautifully with the marble’s rich, varied colors, making this vase a stunning example of its artistic and material richness.