The word "cassoulet"  refers to a decorative, antique French marble urn, often with ormolu (gilt bronze) mounts.   These lovely candelabra have richly veined green marble.

 

Napoleon III, who was Napoleon Bonaparte’s nephew, reigned as was Emperor of France from 1852 to 1870.  His tenure marked the height of the Second French Empire, a period of economic growth, modernization and territorial expansion.  In terms of decorative style, this brought creative freedom and broader access to products that had previously only been available to the very wealthy.  The exuberant shapes and decoration of the past, based on 17th and 18th century styles, were adapted to this more modern era, corresponding to a time of innovation.  And, growing middle and upper classes commissioned furniture to consolidate their standard of living, with abundance and comfort becoming hallmarks of design. There was an abundance of inspiration, a profusion of materials and a richness of decoration during Napoleon III’s reign.