Skip to main content

Ferdinand Barbedienne Art

French, 1810-1892

Founded by one-time Parisian wallpaper dealer Ferdinand Barbedienne and engineer Achille Collas, one of the most revered foundries in 19th-century France began with the invention of a revolutionary 1830s-era device that could produce proportional reproductions — large or small — of sculptures. Collas’s machine, which yielded miniature likenesses of antiquities for the interiors of homes the world over, was pivotal to the success of the F. Barbedienne Foundry. The successful firm earned prestigious awards and critical acclaim and created exquisite bronze candleholdersclocks and lamps for a range of wealthy and prominent clients. 

The duo first launched their company under the name Société Collas et Barbedienne, and early on, they optimized chemical processes for pigmenting and patinating their bronze statuettes. After Collas died in 1859, Barbedienne forged on alone, and the company’s name changed to simply F. Barbedienne.

Barbedienne employed more than 300 workers at that point, and the Maison created a range of furnishings and decorative objects that featured the integration of marble and ormolu accents. However, with the onset of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, the foundry was forced to retrofit its molds, and the production of cannons replaced sculpturesfurniture and vases.

When Ferdinand Barbedienne passed away in 1891, his nephew and heir, Gustave Leblanc, took over as president, changing the name to Leblanc-Barbedienne. Leblanc expanded production into Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States, carrying on the company's legacy with monumental sculptures, and models and securing production rights for famous statues. Paul-Alexandre Dumas, an Art Nouveau maker and student of Louis Majorelle, succeeded Leblanc until the company's closing in 1952.

Barbedienne pieces had been exhibited regularly in the 19th century and were especially prevalent at Europe’s international expositions and world’s fairs, where they received numerous prizes. Today, the Musée d’Orsay in Paris holds dozens of Barbedienne works in its collection, including intricate mirrors, vases and cups created by Louis-Constant Sévin at the foundry. For more than two decades, Sévin created lamps, boxes and more at Maison Barbedienne. Working alongside award-winning chaser Désiré Attarge, Sévin designed Napoleon III-era works that greatly appealed to European nobility.

Other notable artists who collaborated with Barbedienne included Eugene AizelinEmmanuel FremietAntonin MerciéEmile GuilleminEdouard LievreFerdinand Levillain and Auguste Rodin.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of antique Ferdinand Barbedienne decorative objects, lighting and more.

to
1
1
Overall Height
to
Overall Width
to
1
1
1
6
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Artist: Ferdinand Barbedienne
Dealer: Bloomsbury Fine Art & Antiques
Antique French Grand Tour Gilt Bronze Statue on Column Diana the Huntress 1838
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Portland, OR
A fine & large (34" tall) antique French gilt-bronze on marble column of Diana, cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892) after a statue by Jean Antoine Houdon (1741-1828), the bronz...
Category

1830s French School Ferdinand Barbedienne Art

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Related Items
Man with Shovel
By Aimé-Jules Dalou
Located in PARIS, FR
This Peasant resting is a subject that is included in the famous suite commonly called "little workers" by Jules Dalou (1838-1902) Bronze with nuanced dark brown patina no founder s...
Category

Late 19th Century French School Ferdinand Barbedienne Art

Materials

Bronze

Bather
Located in PARIS, FR
Bather by Etienne Hachenburger (19th-20th C.) Sculpture in white Carrara marble Signed on the side of the base "E. Hachenburger" A simiilar model was exhibited at the Paris Salon oh...
Category

Early 1900s French School Ferdinand Barbedienne Art

Materials

Marble

Bather
Bather
H 24.41 in W 14.18 in D 13.78 in
Antique Silvered Bronze Rooster, France circa 19th Century
Located in SANTA FE, NM
Antique Silvered Bronze Rooster France, circa 1900 10 1/4 x 9 1/2 (H x D) inches A very fine and lively bronze statuette of a preening Rooster. Nicely cast and well-carved and in ex...
Category

19th Century French School Ferdinand Barbedienne Art

Materials

Silver, Bronze

Female torso
Located in Täby, SE
This female torso represents the young woman's strength and vulnerability. It´s was conceived in the 70ths and is signed with the artists initials on a thumbprint. Gunnar Knut Nilsson, born 1904 in Karlskrona, died 1995 in Versailles in France, was a Swedish sculptor. Gunnar Nilsson studied watercolor painting and modeling at the Technical Vocational School in Karlskrona in 1918-19 and on his own in addition to working as a clerk at Finspångs Metallwerk. His debut exhibition was in Finspång in 1927. With the help of a local fundraiser, and after the encouragement of Carl Eldh, he traveled to Paris in 1928 to study sculpture for, among others, Charles Despiau and Paul Niclausse. In Paris he socialized with Bror Hjorth, whose former studio he also rented, Carl Frisendahl and Alberto Giacometti. He came to belong to "Le groupe des Neuf'' with Paul Cornet...
Category

1950s French School Ferdinand Barbedienne Art

Materials

Bronze

Female torso
Female torso
H 18.51 in W 5.12 in D 5.91 in
Woman bringing back grass
By Aimé-Jules Dalou
Located in PARIS, FR
This Peasant resting is a subject that is included in the famous suite commonly called "little workers" by Jules Dalou (1838-1902) Bronze with nuanced dark brown patina cast by Suss...
Category

Late 19th Century French School Ferdinand Barbedienne Art

Materials

Bronze

Young woman seated with drapery
Located in PARIS, FR
Young woman seated with drapery by Pierre-Marie POISSON (1876-1953) Bronze sculpture with nuanced green patina signed on the base "P. Poisson" old cast France circa 1935-40 height 21,5 cm length 24,5 cm depth 11 cm Biography : Pierre-Marie Poisson (1876-1953) was a French sculptor and medalist. He studied sculpture at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Toulouse from 1893 to 1896, where he trained in plaster works. He completed this teaching in the Barrias studio in Paris. He began to exhibit his works in 1899 at the Society of French Artists and in 1907 obtained a medal of honor at the Salon as well as an allowance to reside at the villa Abd-el-Tif in Algiers where he designed and produced the decorations. He returned there regularly until 1914. After the Great War, Poisson collaborated with the Compagnie des Arts Français with Süe and Mare. In 1922 the city of Niort commissioned Poisson a war memorial located on the esplanade of the keep. Poisson created the monument to the dead in Le Havre in 1925, considered his masterpiece. He participated in various decorative works : lounge of the Paquebot...
Category

1930s French School Ferdinand Barbedienne Art

Materials

Bronze

Napoleon Ist
Located in Paris, FR
Antoine-Denis CHAUDET (1763 - 1810) NAPOLEON Ist, circa 1808 Carrare Marble - First Empire Hermes Bust of Napoleon Ist, after Antoine-Denis CHAUDET Dimen...
Category

Early 1800s French School Ferdinand Barbedienne Art

Materials

Marble

Napoleon Ist
Napoleon Ist
H 23.63 in W 13 in D 10.24 in
Portrait of Prince Impérial
Located in PARIS, FR
Portrait of Prince Impérial Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte (1856-1879), son of Emperor Napoléon III by Prosper D'EPINAY (1836-1914) A rare and very fine portrait sculpted in white Carrara...
Category

1880s French School Ferdinand Barbedienne Art

Materials

Marble

Pair of bookends with Elephants
By Ary Bitter
Located in PARIS, FR
Pair of bookends with Elephants by Ary BITTER (1883-1973) A very fine pair of bronze sculptures with old gilded nuanced dark brown patina Signed " Ary Bitter Sclp " on an original plaque Old cast by Susse Frères Raised on wooden bases France Circa 1935 total height for one: 27,5 cm total height for the other: 17 cm Biography: Ary Jean Léon...
Category

1930s French School Ferdinand Barbedienne Art

Materials

Bronze

The Kiss
By Aimé-Jules Dalou
Located in PARIS, FR
The Kiss also named "Nymph and Faun" by Jules DALOU (1838-1902) A bronze group with a black patina Signé "Dalou" A very fine cast by "A.A. Hébrard" (with the foundry stamp) The ca...
Category

Early 1900s French School Ferdinand Barbedienne Art

Materials

Bronze

The Kiss
The Kiss
H 16.34 in W 7.88 in D 6.3 in
Tiger and Lion walking
By Antoine-Louis Barye
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare pair of "Tiger and Lion walking" by Antoine-Louis BARYE (1796-1875) A very fine pair of bronze sculptures with a nuanced brown patina each signed "Barye" on the base cast by "F...
Category

1870s French School Ferdinand Barbedienne Art

Materials

Bronze

The Spring
By Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse
Located in PARIS, FR
The Spring by Albert-Ernest CARRIER-BELLEUSE (1824-1887) Sculpture made in white Carrara marble signed on the base "A. Carrier-Belleuse" France circa 1870 height 76,5 cm width 30 cm depth 24 cm Biography : Albert-Ernest Carrier de Belleuse known as Carrier-Belleuse (1824-1887) was one of the most prolific artists of the century and had the greatest successes under the Second Empire, enjoying the personal support of Napoleon III. His work was greatly influenced by the style of the Italian Renaissance and that of the 18th century, which he helped to bring up to date. In 1837, the young Carrier-Belleuse apprenticed in the workshop of the engraver Bauchery. He was admitted soon after to the goldsmith Jacques Henri Fauconnier. Through François Arago, he met the sculptor David d'Angers who facilitated his admission to the School of Fine Arts. Carrier-Belleuse entered it in 1840. Noted for his skill by the great bronze companies in Paris such as Barbedienne and Denière, he soon received numerous orders for models for candelabras, pendulums, fittings for fireplaces, etc. In 1848, probably at the initiative of François Arago, who became head of state, he received his first public order for a small statue of "Mademoiselle Rachel singing La Marseillaise". In 1851, he appeared for the first time at the Salon of French Artists, where he presented two bronze medallions. From 1851 to 1855, Carrier-Belleuse stayed in England, in Stoke-on-Trent where he served as director of the modeling and drawing school of the Minton house, a large porcelain manufacturer. Back in France, Carrier-Belleuse moved to Paris in a large workshop located 15 rue de la Tour d´Auvergne. From 1857, he made regular sendings to the Salon and became famous thanks to the success of large marbles, such as the "Bacchante" exhibited at the Salon in 1863, and acquired by Napoleon III, "Angelica" (1866) or even "Hebe asleep" (1869). At the Salon of 1867, his group entitled "Messiah" earned him the medal of honor of sculpture. It was acquired by the State to adorn the Chapel of the Virgin in the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul church. Carrier-Belleuse acquired a great reputation in parallel for his terracotta busts which, in many respects, recall those of 18th century artists. He made portraits of a large number of celebrities of his time. He produced, among others, the busts of Napoleon III, Renan, Thiers, Grévy, Arago, Marguerite Bellanger, Théophile Gautier, Honoré Daumier, Delacroix, Hortense Schneider, Réjane… He also modelled numerous busts of mythological inspiration and historical and artistic portraits like Marie Stuart, Shakespeare or even Mozart. Carrier-Belleuse used and trained in his workshop in the rue de la Tour d´Auvergne many young talented artists such as Alexandre Falguière, Jules Desbois, Eugène Delaplanche, Jules Dalou or Joseph Chéret; but he was best known for having been the master of Auguste Rodin who entered his studio as a practitioner in 1864. Carrier-Belleuse devoted himself a lot to decorative sculpture. He contributed to the decorations of many important buildings. We owe him in particular the caryatids of the Renaissance theater in Paris, the pediment of the main entrance to the Banque de France, the stucco ceilings of the Lesdiguières and La Trémoïlle pavilions at the Louvre Palace, the frieze of the Palais de la Bourse in Brussels, or the decoration of the Hôtel de la Païva on the Champs-Elysées in Paris. He also received State commissions for monuments: that of Jean-Jacques Rousseau in Montmorency, of Alexandre Dumas, in Villers-Cotterêts, of Masséna in Nice. Abroad, he produced the equestrian statue of Michael the brave in Bucharest and the tomb of José de San Martín in Buenos Aires. In 1873, Carrier-Belleuse took part in the construction of the Paris Opera house, directed by his friend Charles Garnier. He created the two monumental torchieres...
Category

1870s French School Ferdinand Barbedienne Art

Materials

Marble

Ferdinand Barbedienne art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Ferdinand Barbedienne art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Ferdinand Barbedienne in bronze, metal and more. Not every interior allows for large Ferdinand Barbedienne art, so small editions measuring 8 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Aimé-Jules Dalou, and Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse. Ferdinand Barbedienne art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,450 and tops out at $95,000, while the average work can sell for $30,220.

Artists Similar to Ferdinand Barbedienne

Recently Viewed

View All