French Empire ormolu pair of cassolettes of outstanding quality and of good size and proportion A quite exceptional pair of cassolettes in mint original condition. Fine mercury gilt ormolu in very fine condition and with all original threads and nuts. Set on square burnished ormolu bases rising to a burnished circular socle with finest milling to the upper edge and a moulding of fine horizontal lines with swirling beads. The cylindrical stem with fine double diamond design enclosing forget-me-not flowers. The cassolettes were referred to as double use, one side could be used for incence sticks, or flipped around and used as candlesticks. A concentric circular panel of guilloche decoration again enclosing flower heads is the lower outer edge of the lid, then another reeded break and a finalconcentric circular panel of double diamond pattern with Forget-Me-Not flower heads. The splayed upper half of the cassolette in a basket shape is beautifully pierced, burnished inside and with a very fine and attractive rim decorated with a stiff leaf and bud decoration, with a butterfly atop. France circa 1810-15 These are just sensational. 28cm High by 8.5cm Wide and 8.5cm Deep