A Pair of Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Rouge Marble Covered Urns, by Sormani, Paris, Third Quarter 19th Century

The present covered urns are based on an 18th Century porphyry model from the collection of the Duc de Tallard, a French noble, diplomat and Marshal of France. At the sale of Taillard's collection in 1756, the vase was purchased by the Marquis de Marginy, brother of Madame de Pompadour. Following the death of his sister, Marginy lost the position and the extravagantly decorated residence that was supplied with it, and the vase, together with other house contents, were purchased from him by the Crown. The vase remained in the Palais des Tuileries in the 19th Century and is now located in the Louvre museum. 

This model was reproduced by the finest craftsmen of the 19th Century, including Beurdeley, Dasson, Linke and Paul Sormani. 

Paul Sormani, who was born in Italy in 1817, was one of the most important cabinet makers of the 19th century. His first gallery and workshop were established in 1847 in Paris and then during the 1860s the Sormani business is recorded as being located at 10 Rue Charlot. Following Paul's death in 1877, they operated under the direction of his widow, Ursule-Marie-Philippine, and his son, Paul-Charles. Finally in the 1900s the firm re-located to Boulevard Haussman.

Sormani, whose output comprised furniture and objects made in a variety of styles, specialised in the production of Louis XV and Louis XVI revival pieces which include a number of exceptional examples. His workshop even advertised itself in the following manner: ' toute sa production revèle une qualité d'éxecution de toute première ordre.' The Sormani firm exhibited at all the major exhibitions of the 19th century, winning medals in 1849, 1855, 1862, 1867, 1878, 1889 and 1900. Of particular note Sormani received a medal of première classe at the Exposition Universelle in 1855, followed by another at the 1862 exhibition in London.