Pair of antique ormolu mounted cloisonne enamel oil lamps

This striking pair of oil lamps are influenced by the art and design of Japan, which became extremely porpular in the France (and the West generally) from the late 19th Century, in a trend known as Japonisme.

They are each formed as two ovoid vases, decorated all over with cloisonne enamel panels depicting flowers in contrasting colour schemes of blue, red, black and green. The lamps are fitted at their necks with ormolu oil lamp fittings, and mounted with twin ormolu handles in the form of dragons. The lamps are set onto ormolu socle bases, which feature leafy decorations and four elegantly curved feet in the form of elephant heads.