Eugène Cornu, Pair of French Japonisme/Chinoiserie Ormolu Mtd Enameled Onyx Urns

Description

A Rare and Quite Unusual Pair of Signed 19th Century French Japonisme/Chinoiserie/Orientalist Ormolu Mounted Champleve Enameled Onyx Urns by Eugène Cornu. Each is made from champlevé enameled onyx in France during the late 1800s by the Société des marbres d'onyx d'Algérie under the direction of Eugène Cornu. Known for their use of Algerian onyx and intricate gilt bronze ornamentation, the firm played a central role in the development of ornamental luxury wares in the latter half of the 19th century. Cornu, who oversaw the workshop's design and production, was closely associated with the broader trend of Japonisme in French decorative arts. One of the handles on this pair is clearly inscribed "E. Cornu / Palais Royal". Each urn features a bulbous body with a short stem and flared neck, resting on a square base with four scrolled feet. The onyx, displaying orange veining across a cream ground, is fitted with champlevé enamel decoration including stylized dragons in green, blue, and red. The dragons are applied to the body in mirrored pairs, framed by additional floral and foliate champlevé elements below the handles. The rims are mounted with scalloped ormolu collars cast in a repetitive cloud scroll motif, while the feet are joined to a pierced platform base that supports the vessel. The mounts include prominently cast gilt bronze handles in the form of foo dog masks gripping solid hanging rings. The bases, handles, and rims follow design principles seen in Cornu's known Japonisme works, which incorporated Chinese and Japanese motifs into French decorative idioms. The onyx likely originated from the quarries in Algeria used by the firm, which specialized in matching stone types with high-quality bronze fittings. The champlevé enamel technique used here is consistent with the decorative metalwork associated with Cornu's late 19th-century output, integrating polychrome design with cast ornament in a cohesive structural form. Perfect for Orchids. France, Circa: 1880 Height: 12.25" Width: 13" Depth: 11"

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