G. Viot et Cie Japonisme Centerpiece

A French Japonisme cloissene bowl with flora and fauna, set on a raised tripartite base consisting of three polychrome-gilt bronze peacocks encircling a central white onyx disk resting on cloud-form feet. 

Attributed to G. Viot et Cie. with design attributed to Eugène Cornu 

Paris

circa 1870

Enamel and Bronze 

Bowl: 9" H x 12" W 

Overall: 16" H x 12" W

The sculptor and bronzier Eugène Cornu (d. 1875) was a prominent Parisian artist who enjoyed new mediums and had a particular interest in Algerian marble and onyx mines. Working closely with G. Viot, he exhibited extensively at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1867. He also exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1874 and was a director of a bronze foundry as well as several other establishments in Paris. Amongst his numerous enterprises and partnerships, the one with G. Viot et Cie was the most successful and both were recorded at the premises of G. Viot & Cie.  consequently winning the médaille d'or in 1867.