Pair Of Vases In The Athenian Style (antique Busts) – Onyx And Gilt Bronze – Société Onyx, Paris 19th Century

Superb pair of Athenian-style covered vases. These magnificent pieces are crafted from chased and gilded bronze and white onyx marble. Their Neoclassical style is typical of the high Parisian design of the late 19th century. Signature and Provenance: These vases are stamped on the bases with the mark of the prestigious Société des Onyx (H. Journet et Cie), whose address was 24, Boulevard des Italiens in Paris. This signature attests to the excellence of the craftsmanship and the quality of the materials used. Dimensions: Height 36 cm, Width 12 cm, Depth 12 cm, Base 12 cm. Beautiful proportions. Detailed Condition Report: • Originality: The pair is entirely original, without any significant damage or restoration. • Gilding: The beautiful original gilding presents a successful contrast between the matte and glossy finishes. It is very well preserved, with slight signs of age and use, attesting to the age of the pieces. • Quality: The craftsmanship is exceptionally fine. The chasing is delicate, and the onyx used is a very high-quality veined white onyx. These vases are a first-rate collector's item, ideal for a collector's cabinet or a refined interior, highly decorative and elegant with its pure, white onyx. Object design: The molded onyx vase, ovoid in shape with a flared rim, is surrounded by three bust-length female heads in the classical style, draped and adorned with vine leaves. The upper part of the piece is closed by a round, molded lid with a pinecone finial. The female heads are arranged on three flat, ornately carved uprights, joined by an inner band and various acanthus leaf decorations, and terminating in three goat's feet. A decoration of cascading floral sheaves is present between the uprights. The whole rests on a tripod base with curved sides, projecting edges, and moldings. A major 19th-century luxury brand: The Compagnie des Marbres Onyx d'Algérie (Company of Onyx Marbles of Algeria), founded by Alphonse Pallu (1808-1880) on June 14, 1858, refers to the exploitation of onyx, known since antiquity and rediscovered in 1849 in the province of Oran, Algeria, by Del Monte, a marble worker. It opened a store in 1863 at number 24 Boulevard des Italiens in Paris. In the mid-1860s, the company's name changed to "G. Viot & Cie" and produced, based on models by renowned sculptors such as Eugène Cornu, Albert Carrier-Belleuse (1824-1887) (Victoria & Albert Museum, Inv. 9070-1863), Charles Cordier (1827-1905)(Orsay, Inv. RF 2996) or Louis-Ernest Barrias (1841-1905) (Orsay, Inv. RF 1409), highly luxurious decorative works characterized by combining onyx with bronze, and sometimes enamel. At the 1867 Paris Universal Exposition, they presented an impressive pair of onyx, bronze, and enamel vases with elephant-shaped pedestals (signed "G. Viot et Cie, Exposition de 1867, Eugène Cornu Inventeur"; Official Catalogue of the Exposition, Group III, Class XIV, "Luxury Furniture," No. 65). This display, admired by the jury, earned them a gold medal (Reports of the International Jury, Exposition Universelle de 1867 à Paris, 1868, Vol. III, Group III, Class XV, Chapter II, § 2, pp. 45 & 46). Around 1873, Eugène Cornu became the director of the company, which then took the name Société des Onyx d'Algérie E. Cornu et Cie. Around 1875, the company was subsequently managed by H. Journet, whose name it adopted. The company remained open until the beginning of the 20th century. Worldwide delivery, secure packaging, guaranteed tracking, fast communication.