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.
Durenne Foundries Garden Chair in the style of Jean-Michel Frank
By Antoine Durenne Foundry
Located in Sharon, CT
Garden chair in original garden green paint , forged wrought iron by Durenne Foundries. This model from the late 19th century, taken over by Jean-Michel Frank. Bibliography: F. Baude...
Wrought Iron
$3,550 / set
H 35.75 in W 22 in D 20 in
Jean Michel Frank Design Pair of Limed Oak and Caned Chairs Art Deco Style
By Jean-Michel Frank
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of limed oak caned and leather upholstered armchairs, originally designed by Jean Michel Frank, circa 1930s. These examples are from a 1990s production by the company Mattalia...
Leather, Cane, Oak
$22,846 / set
H 29 in W 19.25 in D 21 in
Grand Louvre Side Chair by Jean-Michel Wilmotte for Tecno, Set of 8
By Tecno, Jean-Michel Wilmotte
Located in Brescia, IT
Wood with chrome-plated brass and black leather. Great architectural form with interesting details. This prototype chair is part of a commission created as public seating...
Wood
Pair of Club Chairs in the style of Jean Michel Frank
By (after) Jean Michel Frank
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of beautifully upholstered custom chairs in the style of Jean Michel Frank. Chairs feature Jim Thompson Great Lakes upholstery ...
Fabric
$2,595 / set
H 33.25 in W 17.5 in D 19 in
Set of 4 Chairs in the Manner of Josef Frank, Josef Hoffmann, Stendig, USA, 1970
By Josef Frank
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a set of four bentwood dining chairs styled after the iconic Model 811 chair designed by Josef Frank & Josef Hoffmann for Stendig. Designed in the 1960s, this chair is a ...
Oak
$14,950 / set
H 18 in W 20 in D 16 in
Pair of French Modern Neoclassical Benches in the Style of Jean-Michel Frank
By Jean-Michel Frank
Located in New York, NY
Elegant pair of stools or benches in bronzed wrought iron in the modern neoclassical taste of Jean Michel Frank. The wrought iron frame is in the Classic X-form and the apron is in t...
Wrought Iron
Pair of Jean-Michel Frank Manner Benches
Located in Dallas, TX
Good pair of French modern steel X form benches after Jean-Michel Frank. Jean‑Michel Frank’s aesthetic—spare geometry, luxurious natural materials, parchment, iron, and quiet eleganc...
Steel
Set of 4 - Jean Michel Frank Chairs by Holly Hunt
By (after) Jean Michel Frank
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful set of four Jean Michel Frank chairs made in France by Ecart and distributed in America by Holly Hunt Original retail price was aro...
Leather
$1,800 / set
H 62 in W 14 in D 14 in
Pair of Wrought Iron Chairs in the Style of Frank Lloyd Wright's Midway Chair
By Frank Lloyd Wright
Located in San Diego, CA
Unusual pair of wrought iron chairs in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright's "Midway Chair' designed in 1914. These heavy well-crafted chairs feature a circular seat and prairie style t...
Wrought Iron
$2,770
H 33 in W 36 in D 74 in
French Mid-Century Modern Style Sofa / Couch in the style of Jean-Michel Frank
By Jean-Michel Frank
Located in New York, NY
Sober and Elegant French Mid-Century Modern Sofa / Couch in the style of France's most important 20th Century designer, Jean Michel Frank. The 3 seat sofa has a timeless, perfectly balanced form and pure lines and is consistent with Frank's minimalist aesthetic. It is constructed of hardwood and its rear pillow system offers excellent comfort and support. The covering is in a neutral oatmeal colored fabric. The creations and designs of Jean-Michel Frank haver never gone out of style. Frank also employed important artists such as Alberto and Diego Giacometti in his atelier. Pickup is from our Naples...
Cotton, Hardwood
Metal Mesh Chair in the Manner of Jean Prouve
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Industrial style chair in blue and beige enameled steel in the manner of Jean Prouve. Adjustable back and wood legs.
Metal
French Cerused Lounge Chairs style of Jean Michel Frank
Located in New York, NY
chairs.
PVC, Oak
Set of six oak chairs in the style of Jean Pascaud, 1940
Located in MONTESSON, FR
This set of six chairs is a French piece from the 1940s , reminiscent of Jean Pascaud’swork . They aremade from solid oak . The front legs and the apron are highlighted by a thin woo...
Wood
$28,000 / set
H 27 in W 19.5 in D 28 in
Jean-Charles Moreux, Rare Pair of Garden Chairs, France, C. 1935
By Jean-Charles Moreux
Located in New York, NY
Rare pair of garden lounge chairs in hand-hammered iron with fabric seats by Jean-Charles Moreux (1889-1956) Illustrated in Jean-Charles Moreux by Susan Day, Éditions Norma, Paris, ...
Fabric
Set of Six French Art Deco Chairs in the Manner of Jean Pascaud
By Jean Pascaud
Located in North Miami, FL
Three have brass sabots and three with nickel over brass (as found in France). They are intended to be used alternating finishes. Tapered legs with squared sabots. Nailhead trim t...
Brass, Chrome
21st Century Garden Chair, the Classic Garden Chair
By Benedikt Bolza Design
Located in Lisciano Niccone, Perugia
A classic steel frame chair with generoulsly crafted cushion for outside use. This iconic 18th century design simply sits so well in any exterior s...
Steel
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
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