If you attended the Great Exhibition of 1862 you would have witnessed the unveiling of the magnificent Ross Fountain — a cast iron sculpture created by Jean-Baptiste Jules Klagmann and produced by the Antoine Durenne Foundry. This work can still be seen in West Princes Street Gardens, near Edinburgh Castle, and a number of additional significant pieces that the foundry made during the course of its long history dot a range of historic parks and gardens all over the United Kingdom.
Antoine Durenne bought the small foundry near Sommevoire in Haute-Marne, France. The foundry was located near another prestigious art foundry called the Val d’Osne. Artist Jean Pierre Andre Victor, who established the Val d’Osne, pioneered the cast iron ornamental technique, which was used in creating works of decorative cast iron (Durenne also practiced this at his foundry). The Durenne foundry began to manufacture balconies, balustrades, fireplaces and lamp posts starting in the 1870s as well as WWI memorials and large figurative sculptures, usually animals, in the 1900s.
Durenne merged with Val d’Osne and other foundries to create a co-op called the Société Anonyme des Haute-Fourneaux et Fonderies du Val d'Osne, also known as the Société Anonyme des Etablissements Metallurgiques. The Durenne foundry and the co-op was purchased in the mid-20th century by the Société Generale de Fonderie d'Hydraulique et de Mecanique, better known as GHM, which still produces work from Durenne’s original foundry in Sommevoire.
Durenne died in 1895 though his contributions to the history of cast iron sculpture and the arts have endured. He was a founding member of École Nationale des Arts Décoratifs. The legendary art and design school played a pivotal role in the iconic movement called Art Deco, and its alumni includes the likes of jewelry designer Charles Garnier, architect Hector Guimard and artist Henri Matisse. Some of the statues produced by the Antoine Durenne Foundry are protected today by various world heritage organizations.
On 1stDibs, find antique Antoine Durenne Foundry building and garden elements, decorative objects and seating.
Antoine Durenne Occasional Table Side Table in Iron - Jean-Michel Frank
By Antoine Durenne Foundry
Located in Uxbridge, GB
A rare wrought iron Occasional Table produced by the Antoine Durenne Foundry in France and dating from the 1930s. The design itself originates with the Durenne Foundry in the late n...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Antoine Durenne Foundry Satyr Mask Cast Iron Urn
By Antoine Durenne Foundry
Located in Hastings, GB
An important and incredibly rare 19th century Satyr Mask Urn from the foundry of Antoine Durenne (catalogue Durenne 1889- PL 404 Coupes et Vases). See last image for catalogue refere...
Iron
Superb Pair of Large Antique French Cast Iron Garden Vases by Durenne Circa 1870
By Antoine Durenne Foundry
Located in Dallas, TX
More information coming soon… Dating to circa 1870, this large pair of cast iron garden vases has a stunning jet black palette. Stamped by the foundry, A. Durenne.
Metal, Iron, Cast Iron
French Louis XVI St. 19th Century Cast Iron Grouping of Two Winged Cherubs
By Antoine Durenne Foundry
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A large-scaled and most charming French 19th century Louis XVI st. cast iron grouping of two winged cherubs holding an urn. The cast iron statue is signed Antoine Durenne in the fron...
Iron
$15,000 / set
H 28 in W 48 in D 31 in
Pair of American Identical Large & Smaller Cast Iron Garden Planters, C. 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of American Large & Smaller cast iron garden planters with foliage molded edges, scrolled dragon handles, and resting on raised decorative foliage circular squared plinths, Earl...
Iron
Late 19th Century Fiske Foundry Cast Iron Dog
By J.W. Fiske & Company
Located in Santa Monica, CA
J.W. Fiske foundry attributed cast iron Whippet dog. Incredible white paint surface with many different layers of white paint.
Iron
$3,000 / set
H 29.88 in W 22.5 in D 11.25 in
Pair of Antique French Garden Cast Iron Half Round Urn Form Fluted Wall Planters
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of unusual early 20th century antique French cast iron half round demilune wall mounted urn form wall planters. Having traces of blue paint, e...
Metal
19th Century Meissen Birdcage Grouping
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century Meissen Birdcage Grouping Germany Circa 1880 This enchanting 19th-century Meissen birdcage grouping, made in Germany circa 1880, is a re...
Porcelain
$1,295
H 17 in W 23.75 in D 23.75 in
19th Century French Neoclassical Cast Iron Garden Urn in Deep Green
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A large, Neoclassical cast iron garden urn from the 19th century, exhibiting all the elegance and grandeur of the period. Painted in a deep green, the urn features iconic and timeles...
Iron
$4,780 / item
H 23.5 in Dm 16 in
"Jean-Michael Frank Attributed Burled Walnut Side Table, Modern Design"
By Jean-Michel Frank
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Perfectly scaled and gorgeous in form, this burled walnut side table makes a statement wherever it is. The burled walnut veneer gives this ta...
Brass
A "Grand Tour" Cast Iron Etruscan Vase/Urn
Located in Sheffield, MA
A “Grand Tour” Cast Iron Etruscan Vase 19th Century Depicting classical Greek figures, with ring handles with a leaf motif on each side. Height 20 in. Vas INV. 9
Iron
VERTIS Side Table Jean-Michel Frank Inspired
By Soraya Osorio
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Custom Designer Side Table in Aged Bronze Patina With Blackened Metal Base This bespoke side table features a luxurious aged bronze patina top paired with a sculptural blackened met...
Metal, Bronze, Brass, Steel
$1,220
H 26.78 in Dm 19.1 in
Decorative Cast Iron Garden Urn / Jardinière, French Neoclassical Design, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
A classic cast iron garden urn with an elegant flared rim and decorative detailing, raised on a pedestal and square base. The balanced proportions and timeless design give the piece ...
Iron
Pair 19th Century Neoclassical Cast Iron Garden Urns
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th Century Neoclassical Cast Iron Garden Urns are ideal for exterior or interior use. Each is a heavy casting that features a splendid neoclassical design inspired by ancient...
Iron
$1,377 / set
H 15 in W 12 in D 12 in
A Fabulous Pair of 19th Century Large Heavy Cast Iron Garden Urns
Located in Dublin, IE
A fabulous heavy pair of 19th Century beautifully patinated and finely cast iron garden urns of exceptional quality and large proportions. The urns of circular form with gorgeous eg...
Iron
Handsome Round Burl & Iron Occasional Side Table
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Handsome versatile occasional round table by Baker having Burl top with gorgeous grain and dark iron base.
Iron
Sold
H 35.63 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in L 35.63 in
A Wrought-Iron Garden Armchair by Durenne Foundry France 1920's
By Antoine Durenne Foundry
Located in HYÈRES, FR
A Wrought-Iron Garden Armchair by Durenne Foundry France 1920's Incredible exterior patina. Made of solid iron, of the highest quality ( Heavy ). Sold more for decorative purposes...
Iron
Sold
H 83.08 in Dm 8.67 in
Antoine Durenne, Sommevoire Foundry, Rare and important set of four iron torches
By Antoine Durenne Foundry
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Antoine Durenne (1882-1895), Sommevoire Foundry, Rare and important quintet of four cast iron torches decorated with odalisque children perched on cant...
Iron
Jean-Michel Frank (1893-1941) Durenne Foundries Garden Chairs
By Antoine Durenne Foundry
Located in Sharon, CT
Garden chairs in forged wrought iron by Durenne Foundries. This model from the late 19th century, taken over by Jean-Michel Frank. Bibliography: F. Baudet, 'JM Frank, Memoire du Style Collection', Paris 1998 p.23. Catalog of the estate of Madame Adolphe Chanoix, Maunier & Anselme, Toulon Dec 18 1989. Pierre Emmanuel, Martin-Vivier, 'Jean-Michel Frank', editions Norma, Paris 2006, for models from the Durenne Foundries p.227. Leopold Diego Sanchez, 'JM Frank', edition DuRegard, Paris 1997 for models of the Durenne Foundries p.260. Julie Pierotti, 'The Real Beauty the artistic world of Eugenia Errazuriz...
Wrought Iron
19th Century Pair of Flares in Cast Iron Enamelled by Durenne
By Antoine Durenne Foundry
Located in Marseille, FR
Pair of enameled cast iron flares by Durenne 19th century Foundry Sommevoire in Haute Marne, height dimension about 170 cm, globe included depth 30 cm x 40 cm width.
Iron
Cupid as Waterspout by A. Durenne, France, 19th Century
By Antoine Durenne Foundry
Located in Greding, DE
Sculpture of a cupid out of cast iron, standing on a round iron base by Antoine Durenne (1822-1895). The cupid is depicted in a dynamic stance, holding a large fish in front of his c...
Iron
Pair of Cast Iron Figural Torcheres by A. Durenne
By Antoine Durenne Foundry
Located in London, GB
Each depicting a young male figure holding aloft a torch, on a pair of faux marble pedestals decorated with masks. The company of A. Durenne, maître de forges, was established in ...
Iron
Cast-iron Durenne Garden Fountain
By Antoine Durenne Foundry
Located in Katonah, NY
A cast-iron fountain figure of a seated girl with serene expression, her hair meticulously rendered with braids, the overturned jar on her knee plumbed for water, marked "Durenne Som...
Iron