A pair of rare and impressive Louis XIV cast iron urns
late 17th century 154cm.; 60ins high Provenance: Reputed to have been in the grounds of Rohan Castle, Savernes, in Alsace. The original castle was built in 1670 at which time it is likely that these urns formed part of the decoration in the grounds. Following a fire in 1779, the castle was rebuilt between 1780 and 1790 by the architect Nicolas Salins de Montfort who had been commissioned by the Strasbourg Prince-Bishop Louis René Édouard de Rohan-Guéméné, who also resided in the magnificent Rohan Palace in the city where he held office, as well as in the less stately Rohan Castle of Mutzig. The casting temperature required for cast iron is much higher than that of bronze which accounts for the rarity of 17th century examples. The difficulty of casting on this scale required a multi piece construction to avoid cracking during the firing process using sand moulds. An identical urn is in Savernes museum and another pair without lids are held by Strasbourg museum.
A pair of rare and impressive Louis XIV cast iron urns
late 17th century 154cm.; 60ins high Provenance: Reputed to have been in the grounds of Rohan Castle, Savernes, in Alsace. The original castle was built in 1670 at which time it is likely that these urns formed part of the decoration in the grounds. Following a fire in 1779, the castle was rebuilt between 1780 and 1790 by the architect Nicolas Salins de Montfort who had been commissioned by the Strasbourg Prince-Bishop Louis René Édouard de Rohan-Guéméné, who also resided in the magnificent Rohan Palace in the city where he held office, as well as in the less stately Rohan Castle of Mutzig. The casting temperature required for cast iron is much higher than that of bronze which accounts for the rarity of 17th century examples. The difficulty of casting on this scale required a multi piece construction to avoid cracking during the firing process using sand moulds. An identical urn is in Savernes museum and another pair without lids are held by Strasbourg museum.
.jpg?w=400 "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
