Empire Green Marble Pedestal Column with Gilt Bronze Griffin Urn
Design & Inspiration
Place this piece at the end of a hallway and the room finds its axis. The deep green of the Indian marble — veined with auburn and cream — draws the eye upward along the turned column shaft, past the gilt acanthus collar, to the lidded urn crowned with a flame-and-petal finial. This is not a pedestal that merely holds something. It is something. Inspired by the grandeur of the French Consulate and early Empire period (1800–1830), it faithfully reproduces the language of a generation that measured civic virtue in stone and bronze.
Materials & Craftsmanship
The column and urn are turned from solid Indian green marble — a material prized in 19th-century ateliers for its rich color depth and the way its veining catches light differently from every angle. The gilt bronze mounts are cast with precision: winged griffin handles with open beaks and spread pinion feathers grip the urn's shoulders, while a band of polished gilt bronze encircles the urn's waist. The tripartite base features a pierced acanthus apron between three swept supports terminating in cast lion-paw feet — the Empire period's signature mark of Roman authority. The column's acanthus collar, separating shaft from the circular display platform, is hand-finished to mirror the quality of 19th-century Parisian foundry work.
Dimensions & Details
Width: 46 cm / Depth: 46 cm
The pedestal is proportioned to anchor a formal reception or hallway without overwhelming a standard ceiling height. The urn is removable, allowing the column alone to serve as a display stand for sculpture or a bust. Handcrafted in Egypt by Brass & Wood artisans using traditional marble-turning and bronze-casting techniques.
Handcrafted in Egypt
Every element of this piece — from the marble turning on the column shaft to the casting and chasing of the bronze mounts — is executed by hand in our Egyptian workshops. Brass & Wood draws on a workshop tradition that combines European heritage design with the skilled hands of Egyptian craftsmen, producing replicas that honor the original without pretending to be it. The result is a piece built to last generations, not seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What materials is this piece made from?
The column, display platform, base, and urn body are all turned from solid Indian green marble. All decorative mounts — griffin handles, acanthus collar, base apron, and lion-paw feet — are cast gilt bronze, finished by hand.
Is assembly required?
Minimal assembly is required: the urn sits on the column's circular platform and is not permanently fixed, allowing for easy repositioning. The column and base are shipped as a single pre-assembled unit.
Can this be customized?
Yes. Brass & Wood offers customization in marble color, bronze finish tone, and overall column height. Contact our team to discuss bespoke options before placing your order.