Émile Guillemin was a celebrated 19th-century French sculptor whose Victorian-era masterpieces showed a deep love and appreciation for Asian and Middle Eastern cultures. He worked with the esteemed Barbedienne Foundry to create bronze figurative sculptures of exquisite detail. He also made statuesque bronze floor lamps and glinting silver centerpieces that retain their luster and charm to this day.
Guillemin was born in Paris in 1841. His father was sculptor Auguste Guillemin, who worked for aristocrats producing copies of ancient busts. Guillemin studied under his father and under sculptor Jean-Jules Salmson. He first exhibited his work at the Paris Salon of 1870 with two statues of Roman gladiators and continued showing his work at Paris Salons over the next three decades.
Although Guillemin was a prolific sculptor with a wide-ranging repertoire, he is most known for his Orientalist-style pieces, a term denoting the exoticization of Asian and Middle Eastern art in the West. What made Guillemin's work stand out was the great sensitivity and care he put into depicting his subjects in an accurate manner. From Japanese courtesans to Indian falconers, his subjects don accurate re-creations of the clothing, hairstyles and accouterments of their cultures.
Today, Guillemin's pieces remain in high demand. In 2008, a pair of busts he crafted in 1884, called Femme Kabyle d'Algerie and Janissaire du Sultan Mahmoud II, sold at auction for more than $1 million.
On 1stDibs, find Émile Guillemin sculptures, lighting and tableware.
After Barye (19th Century) And Guillemin, Cavalier Arabe Revenant De La Chasse
By Alfred Barye, Émile Guillemin
Located in Germantown, MD
A Massive After Alfred Barye (French 1839-1882) And Emile Guillemin (French 1841-1907), Cavalier Arabe Revenant De La Chasse, Coated Cast Metal Sculpture. "Cavalier Arabe”, which i...
Metal
The ‘CAVALIER ARAB’, Circa 1880
By Alfred Barye, Émile Guillemin
Located in London, GB
"Cavalier Arabe”, which is a collaboration by two French sculptors Alfred Barye and Emile-Coriolan-Hippolyte Guillemin. Signed by E Guillemin and Bary f...
Spelter
Émile Guillemin, A Fine Orientalist Bust of a Young Woman
By Émile Guillemin
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
Émile-Coriolan-Hippolyte Guillemin (French, 1841-1907) A Fine Multipatinated Bronze Orientalist Bust of A Young Woman. Signed and dated 'Ele. ...
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century French Terracotta Busts of Children Signed E. Guillemin
By Émile Guillemin
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate an office shelf with this cheerful pair of antique terracotta children busts. Crafted in Paris, France circa 1880, each subject features a child face sculpture standing on a black painted socle base. Each figure has wonderful facial expressions and nice details. Both artworks are signed on the back E. Guillemin with marks reading "Quai Jemmapes 6". The busts are in excellent condition with the original terracotta patinated finish. Émile Coriolan Hippolyte Guillemin (1841-1907) was a French sculptor of the Belle Époque. He worked mainly in bronze and also made artwork subjects in terracotta. He studied under his father, the painter Auguste Guillemin, and under Jean-Jules Salmson. He showed work at the Salon of Paris from 1870-1899, and in 1897 received an honorable mention there. His sculptures incorporated themes inspired by the French revolution, Mediterranean mythology, and orientalist aesthetics. His oeuvre is reminiscent of other mid-18th century European bronze sculptors, including Jef Lambeaux, Marcel...
Terracotta
$347,094 / set
Pair of Orientalist Sculpted Busts by Guillemin
By Émile Guillemin
Located in London, GB
Pair of Orientalist sculpted busts by Guillemin French, circa 1880-1890 Male figure: Height 89.5cm, width 65cm, depth 40cm Female figure: Height 79.5...
Marble, Bronze
$27,500 / set
Pair of E. Guillemin Bronze Gladiator Figures
By Émile Guillemin
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Victorian bronze brown patina standing gladiator figures (Retiarius and Myrmillo) (signed: E. GUILLEMIN)
Bronze
A Barye & Emile Guilemin Patinated Verdigris Bronze Arab Hunter on Horseback
By Alfred Barye, Émile Guillemin
Located in Germantown, MD
A Late 19th french verdigris bronze group of Arab Hunter on Horseback. Cast from the model by Alfred Barye and Emile Guillemin, Late 19th Century, wearing elaborate costume and with ...
Bronze
Orientalist Bronze Group of Biblical Subject by Guillemin
By Émile Guillemin, Georges Emile Henri Servant
Located in London, GB
Orientalist bronze group of Biblical subject by Guillemin French, late 19th Century Height 80cm, width 60cm, depth 23cm This impressive patinated bronze sculpture is by the cele...
Bronze
A marine specimen: the piranha fish, Italy 1880.
Located in Milan, IT
Taxodermy marine natural Wunderkammer specimen, embalmed Piranha fishes (Serrasalmus Brandtii). The Specimen is stuffed and mounted over a laquered wooden base black color. Italy cir...
Wood
19th Century Bronze of the Borghese Gladiator
Located in London, GB
Nineteenth century bronze of the Borghese Gladiator, Italian or French, mounted on a richly figured Convent Sienna marble base.
Siena Marble, Bronze
Vintage Grand Tour Bronze Gladiator Statue
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This bronze-toned figure captures the poised intensity of a classical warrior, frozen in the moment before launching his spear. Wearing only a crested Corinthian helmet and loincloth...
Stone, Metal
$3,400 / set
H 13 in W 7.5 in D 5 in
Pair Of Late 19th Century Polychrome Terracotta Busts By Friedrich Goldscheider
By Goldsheider
Located in San Francisco, CA
A superb pair of late 19th century Austrian polychrome terracotta busts by Friedrich Goldscheider, both figures stamped to the reverse. This pair of busts are in excellent original c...
Terracotta
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Gilt Porcelain Dog
By Giustiniani Family 1
Located in New York, NY
Cavalier King Charles spaniel gilt porcelain dog. Antique gilt porcelain dog sculpture on conforming white oblong octagonal gilt banded ...
Porcelain
$1,330Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 21 in W 8.5 in D 12.5 in
Pair of Chinese Bronze Deity Figures, 20th Century
Located in Belmont, MA
Pair of Chinese bronze figures of deities standing on dragons. The two sculptures were made in the 20th century. They represent the Tao gods Lu Xing and Fu Xin...
Bronze
$9,024 / set
H 32.29 in W 9.85 in D 9.85 in
Pair of Cold Painted Bronze Orientalist Figures of Musicians
Located in London, GB
The figures representing a male and female in colored clothing, playing the violin and the mandolin respectively, each standing on a plinth. These bronze Orientalist style figures...
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Busts
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of 19th century busts. These are 2 19th century Gesso painted busts of 2 archaeologists of the period. Measurements: 69 x 62 x 28 Y 65 x 60 x 30 Good condition.
Gesso
Large 19th Century Bronze Sculpture of Borghese Gladiator
Located in New York, NY
Borghese Gladiator, after the antique large patinated bronze sculpture Italy, 19th Century H 20 in. (50.8 cm) Original marble sculpture was found in the early 1600's in the Anzio so...
Bronze
Pair of Japanese Bronze Bookends, circa 1880
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Japanese bronze bookends, circa 1880.
Bronze
$3,140
H 5.51 in W 11.22 in D 6.49 in
Vienna Bergman Bronze Arab Man on Carpet Selling Egypt Antiquities, circa 1890
By Bergmann Foundry
Located in Vienna, AT
Stunning bronze figurine group: Arab man clad in mantel (fireplace) selling Egypt antiquities. An Arab man with turban is busy with presenting Egypt f...
Bronze
Bust of a Young Woman in Marble and Alabaster
Located in Marseille, FR
Bust of a young woman in marble and alabaster, height 68 cm for a width of 40 cm and a depth of 30 cm. Signed Prof. Besfi. Additional information: Material: Alabaster, Marble & onyx
Marble
Sold
H 29 in W 26 in D 7.75 in
French Bronze African American Boy Playing Banjo "What a Fly" E. Guillemin, 1870
By Émile Guillemin
Located in Charleston, SC
French Bronze Cold Painted African American boy playing banjo resting on squared molded plinth. "What a Fly", signed E. Guillemin ( 1842-1907 ), Late 19th Century
Bronze
Sold
H 50.5 in W 12.75 in D 12.75 in
French Antique Bronze Torchiere Sculpture “Indienne Femme” by Emile Guillem
By Émile Guillemin
Located in Shippensburg, PA
Debuting at the Paris Salon in 1870, Emile Coriolan Hippolyte Guillemin modeled this sculpture in 1872. He became well-known for his exotic scenes of the Middle East, Africa and Far East, producing models of figures from far-flung regions: courtesans from Japan, women and men from Turkey and Algiers, hunters and falconers from the Middle East and women from India. The present example of Femme Indienne was modeled in 1872 and after acquiring the rights to produce this model and two other pairs of sculptures from Emile Guillemin, Barbedienne offered this sculpture in their 1886 catalogue as Deux Femmes, Indienne et Persane depicting both an Indian and a Persian female lifting torchieres in their upraised arms. They were offered in several heights: 200 cm, 120 cm, 95 cm and 78 cm and an example of the largest version of the pair were installed to flank the entrance to the Barbedienne estate - these were sold in 1984 (Hotel des Ventes) for 530,000 francs. Examples of Indienne selling at auction include: * Christie's, London, 5 March 2014, lot 108: achieved 47,500 GBP (approximately $ 78,375 USD at prevailing exchange rate of 1.65 on the date of the auction) * Christie's, New York, 23 April 2001, lot 292: achieved $ 30,550 USD * Christie's, London, 28 April 2010, lot 158: a pair including Femme Indienne and Esclave Indien achieved 49,250 GBP (approximately $ 72,300 USD at prevailing exchange rate of 1.47 on the date of the auction) * Bonham's, Los Angeles, 8 December 2014, lot 1389: a pair of Femme Indienne and Femme Persane in the largest size (76") achieved $ 131,000 USD It is always interesting to compare the French franc to the price of gold...
Bronze
Émile Guillemin, a French Patinated Bronze Figure of an Orientalist Dancer
By Émile Guillemin
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
Émile-Coriolan-Hippolyte Guillemin, French (1841-1907) A French patinated bronze figure of an orientalist dancer, circa 1870, Retailed by Tiffany and Co.. Measures: 27" high x ...
Bronze
Emile Guillemen Two Cavaliers Silvered Bronze
By Émile Guillemin
Located in Dallas, TX
Emile Guillemin (1841-1907, French) Two cavaliers Silvered bronze on marble base Signed: Ele. Guillemin LM Dimensions bronze: 9 inches high x 6 inches width x 4 inches depth Over...
Bronze
Sold
H 8.67 in W 5.12 in D 3.94 in
19th Century French Solid Silver Statues of Duellists, Émile Guillemin
By Émile Guillemin
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th century French solid silver pair of magnificent statues, beautifully modelled to the last detail as two duelists, each with sword in hand, dressed in the style of Renaissance, standing on oval plinth bases, circa 1880. Hallmarked with a French silver Minerva marks (950 standard), Makers mark unidentified, models designed by Émile Coriolan Hippolyte Guillemin (16 October 1841–1907), a French sculptor of the Belle Époque. He worked in bronze and studied under his father, the painter Auguste Guillemin, and under Jean-Jules Salmson. He showed work at the Salon of Paris from 1870-1899, and in 1897 received an honourable mention there. Guillemin worked in partnership with the highly prestigious Barbedienne foundry, some versions of his Cavalier Arabe...
Silver
Large Bronze Arab on Horse Back, Emile Guillemin
By Émile Guillemin
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A wonderfully impressive 19th century Orientalized bronze study of an Arab hunter on horse back. Measures: 80cm (31.5") high Signed E. Guillemin / Barye Emile Coriolan Hippolyte Guillemin (French, 1841-1907) Emile Coriolan Hippolyte Guillemin was a French artist who worked mostly in bronze. His sculptures incorporated themes inspired by the French revolution, Mediterranean mythology, and orientalist aesthetics. His oeuvre is reminiscent of other mid-18th century European bronze sculptors, including Jef Lambeaux, Marcel Kleine...
Bronze
Sold
H 29 in W 16 in D 9 in
Patinated Bronze Orientalist Sculpture of an Ottoman Warrior by Emile Guillemin
By Émile Guillemin
Located in New York, NY
A stunning patinated bronze sculpture of an ottoman warrior by Emile Guillemin. Entitled ‘Bashi Basouk,’ depicting an Ottoman warrior with his right ha...
Bronze
19th Century Pair of Bronze Samuraïs by Emile-Coriolan Guillemin
By Émile Guillemin
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A 19th century very fine pair of bronze Samuraïs Warriors by Emile-Coriolan Hippolyte Guillemin ( 1841-1907) Very famous orientalist and Japonisme sculptor ( Louvre Museum, Orsay Mus...
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 13 in W 4.34 in D 3.94 in
Pair of Figural Candlesticks Jockey and Gentleman Emile Guillemin France 1900
By Émile Guillemin
Located in Antwerp, BE
A pair of patinated metal figural candlesticks jockey and gentleman by Emila Guillemin. Figures based on Vanity Fair print caricatures titled “The Favorite Jockey” and the “Statesman” after the cartoonist spy. Artist/ Maker: Emile Guillemin...
Metal
Sold
H 63 in W 18.25 in D 18.25 in
Fine Emile Guillemin Bronze Sculpture Torchiere Lamp "Indienne, " Barbedienne
By Émile Guillemin, F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Shippensburg, PA
An incredibly powerful figure of magnificent proportions, this very fine sculpture was originally offered by Barbedienne as a pair, noted in their 1886 catalogue as “Deux Femmes, Ind...
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 21.5 in W 10 in
E. Guillemin, (1841-1907) An Antique French Bust of a Nubian in Original Gilt and Patinated Bronze mounted on Rouge Marble Base
By Émile Guillemin
Located in New York, NY
E. Guillemin, (1841-1907) A very Important and quite Unique, Antique French Bust of a Nubian in Original Gilt and Patinated Bronze, finely mounted ...
Bronze
19th Century Sculpture Titled "What a Fly" by E. Guillemin
By Émile Guillemin
Located in Queens, NY
Signed by E. Guillemin and titled "What a Fly," this 19th century metal torso is composed in the form of an African American boy wearing a plumed straw hat...
Metal