World's Fair Bronze Vase By Barbedienne

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World's Fair Bronze Vase By Barbedienne

About the Item

This monumental gilt-bronze and enamel vase marries the imaginative designs of Édouard Lièvre’s ‘le style japonais et chinois’ and the technical prowess of renowned bronzier Ferdinand Barbedienne. The urn features elaborate decoration and two handles with caracal heads holding articulated openwork handles. Lièvre was regarded as one of the most talented designers and draftsmen of the late 19th century. His modern style tinged with Asian influence elevated his profile in design circles and he became one of the preeminent tastemakers of the day. As such, the highly respected Barbedienne was a fitting collaborator to help Lièvre realize his distinctive original designs. Together, the pair created several notable works that drew from fantasies of the Far East, canonical Renaissance and Neoclassical forms and elevated modern techniques to form unique and sought-after objet. The elaborate enamel and bronze work featured in this stunning vase was such a triumph of technique and design that Barbedienne selected the vase to be displayed at his exhibit in the decorative arts pavilion of the seminal 1878 Exposition Universelle. A testament to the artistry and engineering prowess of their illustrious collaboration, this stunning ‘japonisme’ style gilt-bronze and enamel urn was the centerpiece of the display. Representing the union of aesthetics of the Far East with the tradition of unimpeachable European artistry, this urn carries the distinguished flair of its renowned designer and fondeur. The exquisite work recalls the important history of decorative arts created to wow audiences on the World’s stage. Lièvre’s 19th-century designs made a huge impact on the world of decorative arts and have been described as époque defining. He created several famous works for esteemed clients like preeminent French actress Sarah Bernhardt and he even designed an elaborate bed for the notorious courtesan Louise-Emilie Valtesse de la Bigne — currently on view at Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. Lièvre collaborated with other notable craftsmen including the silversmith Christofle, marchands-merciers like Escalier de Cristal and bronzier Maison Marnyhac. However, it is Lievre’s collaborative designs with leading French bronze fondeur Ferdinand Barbedienne for which he is most celebrated. Circa 1878 Vase: 27” high by 14 1/2” wide by 11 1/2” deep Base: 13" high by 11 7/8" wide by 11 7/8" deep

Creator:
Edouard Lievre (Designer),Ferdinand Barbedienne (Maker)
Dimensions:
Height: 27 in (68.58 cm)Width: 14.5 in (36.83 cm)Depth: 11.5 in (29.21 cm)
Style:
Japonisme (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Bronze,Enamel,Gilt
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
Circa 1878
Condition:
Seller Location:
New Orleans, LA
Reference Number:
Seller: 31-69811stDibs: LU891134917542

Shop All Ferdinand Barbedienne

Ferdinand Barbedienne

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 candleholders, clocks 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 sculptures, furniture 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 Aizelin, Emmanuel Fremiet, Antonin Mercié, Emile Guillemin, Edouard Lievre, Ferdinand Levillain and Auguste Rodin.

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