A pair of Belgian bronze urns by Luppens, Brussels

A pair of Belgian bronze urns by Luppens, Brussels, each in the form of a classical two-handled vase, decorated in high relief with bands of acorns on dense foliage, Greek key pattern and scrolls with shells, the handles comprising double headed finials of Bacchus and Ceres issuing from a boar’s head, all on a fluted support and square plinth stamped ‘H Luppens et Cie.  Bronzes d’Art, Bruxelles’.  Belgian, circa 1880.

Luppens & Co was a renowned bronze foundry with workshops in Saint-Gilles, 15 rue de Denmark, Brussels.  It specialized in art bronzes, furniture, clocks and lamps.  Established in 1850, the company thrived throughout the late 19^th century, winning a gold medal at the Paris International Exposition of 1889, but there was a steady decline in output from the 1920s and trade finally ceased around 1970.