Pair of “Grand Tour” Bronze and Marble Urns by L. Oudry & Cie

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On offer is a pair of cast-bronze urns decorated with intricate reliefs, featuring brass rims and stems atop rouge marble … Read more On offer is a pair of cast-bronze urns decorated with intricate reliefs, featuring brass rims and stems atop rouge marble bases. Nearly a foot tall, their imposing style is neoclassical, made during the Napoleon III period in France (circa 1850-1880) by L. Oudry & Cie of Paris. Such ornate bas-relief designs, like that of these pieces, was heavily influenced by the rediscovery of antiquity through the excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Intended for decorative use, such items are commonly known as Grand Tour souvenirs. They were typically placed in pairs on a fireplace mantel, often as part of a larger set called a "garniture," which could include a matching clock or other vases.
The urns’ maker, L. Oudry & Cie was a prominent 19th-century French firm specializing in high-end decorative bronze objects such as these, electrotyping, and metal plating. The company was known for its "three-tone" bronze finishes, combining gilt, patinated, and copper-plated surfaces. Their work was awarded a medal at the 1855 Paris World's Fair, and also in London in 1862. The City of Paris commissioned Léopold Oudry to use his copper-plating process on the monumental fountains at the Place de la Concorde (designed by Jacques Ignace Hittorff) to enhance their durability. No wonder this pair retains its timeless good looks.
Maker’s mark: Stamped on brass stem (photo #8) See less