Cassoulet is a French design word used to describe decorative vases or urns, often made of marble with ormolu accents, usually placed on prominent display in residences as a symbol of luxury and refinement.  Cassoulets were and are also conical shaped cooking terracotta cooking pots with an internal glaze used for making the famous regional French dishes of this name.  The more formal items grew out of their original use in the kitchen to become items of considerable size and price.