Style Napoleon III / Ref.15300

Jules CANTINI, Large Urn in Numidia Red Breccia Marble with Console, second half of the 19th century

This vase, crafted from Numidia Red Breccia and mounted on its accompanying console, was created in the second half of the 19^th 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.