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 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
1930s Antoine Durenne Foundry Side Table in Iron - Jean-Michel Frank
By Antoine Durenne Foundry
Located in Uxbridge, GB
We have for sale very rare table by the Antoine Foundry. This late 19th century design was selected/edited by Jean-Michel Frank in various interiors. Some books also document this as...
Iron, Wrought 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
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
$13,067
H 24.22 in Dm 17.72 in
Art Deco Vintage Coffee Table Side Table Oak Teal Glass Josef Frank 1930s Vienna
By Josef Frank
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage side table coffee table attributed to Josef Frank for Haus & Garten 1930s Vienna from chocolate brown stained oak and blue green teal glass plate in round shape with...
Glass, Oak
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
English 19th Century Cast Iron Unicorn
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A large, cast iron unicorn with a custom attached base stand. Great detail can be seen in the creature’s mane, head and musculature.
Iron
Early 20th Century Wooden Foundry "Y" Pipe Mold
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Early 20th Century Wooden Foundry "Y" Pipe Mold Great original patina. Perfect to hang on a wall if your first or last name starts with a "Y". This piece will add interest to a...
Hardwood
$2,241Sale Price / set|15% Off
H 11.82 in W 9.85 in D 9.85 in
Moorish Heads Vases Collection "Red and Gold", Set of 2, Handmade in Italy
By Mosche Bianche
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
This collection is a work of art that make a statement in modern décor and in the modern cultural art world. It can be used as a vase containing flowers, or as a beautiful centerpiec...
Gold Leaf
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
$760
H 23 in W 27 in D 27 in
Elegant Square Side Table Eggshell Lacquer Style of Jean-Michel Frank Jean Dunan
By (after) Jean Michel Frank
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a beautiful square side table with eggshell lacquer finish In the style of Jean Michel Frank- Jean Dunand. Clean modern Simple lines. Very elegant. Dimensions...
Eggshell, Wood
19th Century French Cast Iron Urn
Located in Ongar, GB
A very decorative French 19th century cast iron urn which is decorated with a pair of Lion heads. It has a beautiful patina with ol...
Iron
Pair Louis XVI Style Cherub Candelabra, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of 19th Century gilded ormolu and white marble Louis XVI style two branch candelabra, each having floral decoration, supported by cherubs, raised on circular pede...
Marble, Ormolu
$1,620Sale Price|20% Off
H 23.23 in W 25.2 in D 13 in
Spanish Colonial End Table / Side Table in Walnut, 1930s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish Walnut Side or End Table with Drawer and Iron Hardware Walnut Spanish Revival side table with single carved drawer and iron hardware...
Iron
A Fine 19th Century Decorative Cast Iron Horse
Located in Lincoln, GB
A Fine 19th Century Decorative Cast Iron Horse This evocative 19th-century cast iron study depicts a horse in a dynamic, spirited pose, capturing the noble character of the animal wi...
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
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