Neoclassical Alabaster and Gilt Brass Decorative Urn

A covered decorative urn in warm honey-toned alabaster with gilt brass mounts throughout, made in the Neoclassical taste, likely in the 20th century and most probably French or Italian in origin. The form follows the Louis XVI urn tradition that ran continuously through the Napoleon III period and into the 20th century: a tapering ovoid body with small cast scroll-ear handles, a knurled gilt brass collar at the lid, a cast pinecone finial, and a stepped square plinth raised on four ball feet. The plinth carries an applied cast gilt brass ornament showing a bow, quiver, and laurel leaves, a motif drawn directly from 18th-century French Neoclassical decorative vocabulary and revived repeatedly through the 19th and early 20th centuries. A property label on the underside reads "The Cottage," indicating the piece passed through an English household at some point before acquisition.

[d]Type | Decorative urn

[d]Material | Alabaster with gilt brass mounts

[d]Origin | Unknown

[d]Age | 20th century, Neoclassical revival style

[d]Style | Louis XVI Neoclassical revival

[d]Size | 11 in H x 4.5 in W x 3 in D

[d]Finial | Cast gilt brass pinecone

[d]Handles | Cast gilt brass scroll ears

[d]Plinth | Stepped square alabaster plinth on four gilt brass ball feet

[d]Plinth Ornament | Applied cast gilt brass bow, quiver, and laurel motif

[d]Lid | Fixed, not removable

[d]Provenance | "The Cottage" ownership label on underside

[condition]

Good antique condition overall. The alabaster body is intact with no chips, cracks, or losses. The gilt brass mounts, collar, handles, ball feet, and plinth ornament are all present and secure. The gilding shows honest age and some wear consistent with use and years of handling, without significant losses or bare patches. The lid is fixed and stable. The underside retains a prior ownership label reading "Koe Cottage." No repairs or restorations noted.