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
$17,900 / set
H 22.75 in Dm 13 in
Pair of French Modern Neoclassical Iron & Stone Side Tables, Jean Michel Frank
By (after) Jean Michel Frank
Located in New York, NY
An Elegant and Timeless Pair of French Mid-Century Style Modern Neoclassical Side or End Tables in the style of the highly noted French designer, Jean-Michel Frank. The tables are co...
Travertine, Wrought 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
Rationalist Side or Occasional Table in Ebonized Oak 1930s
Located in Meer, VAN
A beautifully restrained 1930s Dutch rationalist side table of art deco nature. The Netherlands, 1930s. This side or occasional table in ebonized oak veneer shows a simple yet very...
Oak
1930s French Art Deco Side Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible Art Deco side table from France, 1930s. Circular top rests on four carved wood slender curvy legs. Newly refreshed in a medium stain showing lovely natural grain. Strikin...
Wood
$2,450
H 21 in W 23.75 in D 16 in
Iron and Leather Side Table in the manner of Jean-Michel Frank, Contemporary
By Jean-Michel Frank
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sophisticated, handcrafted side table inspired by the refined minimalism of Jean-Michel Frank. This table features a sleek iron frame with a subtle patinated finish, supporting an ...
Iron
1930s Spanish Tile-Top Wrought Iron Side Table
Located in Stamford, CT
1930s Spanish tile-top wrought iron side table. Ceramic tiles depicting Don Quixote and the Windmill. Black wrought iron table base. No m...
Wrought Iron
$3,850
H 15.75 in W 19.75 in D 15.75 in
A Mica End Table or Small Coffee Table, in the manner of Jean-Michel Frank
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This elegant and simple table exhibits a beautiful marquetry surface of Mica with black, brown and bronze nuances. Its size allows versatility in placement allowing it to serve as a ...
Resin, Wood
Art Deco Side Table, Europe, 1930s
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Europe side table in good original condition sometimes scratches hard construction.
Wood
1930s French Art Deco Side Table
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A lovely small side table with inset mirror top and a floating shelf. Four legs that are offset from the corners and rotate around the table create a dynamic piece. French, circa 193...
Mirror, Wood
$30,007
H 27.76 in W 21.86 in D 23.82 in
Original 1930s COMTE S.A. Jean-Michel Frank wrought iron painted gueridons
By Comte S.A.
Located in London, GB
Jean-Michel Franks designed his now famous tripod gueridons in the 1930s. A classic design marrying exceptional quality and demonstrating exactly the designer's mastery of perfectly ...
Iron
$15,875 / set
H 28 in Dm 14 in
Pair of French Modern Neoclassical Wrought Iron Side Tables, Jean-Michel Frank
By Gilbert Poillerat, Jean-Michel Frank
Located in New York, NY
A delicate, refined pair of French Mid-Century Modern neoclassical side or end tables / gueridon in the spirit of Jean Michel Frank and attributed to the French Master Ironworker, Gi...
Stone, Wrought Iron
$14,900
H 30.5 in W 19.5 in D 15 in
French Modern Neoclassical Iron and Marble Table in Manner of Jean-Michel Frank
By Jean-Michel Frank
Located in New York, NY
Elegant and unique French midcentury partially gilt wrought iron and marble folding side table or gueridon in the manner of Jean Michel Frank, circa 1935. Though the folding 'campai...
Carrara Marble, Wrought Iron