Founded by one-time Parisian wallpaper dealer Ferdinand Barbedienne and engineer Achille Collas, one of the most revered foundries in 19th-century France began with the invention of a revolutionary 1830s-era device that could produce proportional reproductions — large or small — of sculptures. Collas’s machine, which yielded miniature likenesses of antiquities for the interiors of homes the world over, was pivotal to the success of the F. Barbedienne Foundry. The successful firm earned prestigious awards and critical acclaim and created exquisite bronze candleholders, clocks and lamps for a range of wealthy and prominent clients.
The duo first launched their company under the name Société Collas et Barbedienne, and early on, they optimized chemical processes for pigmenting and patinating their bronze statuettes. After Collas died in 1859, Barbedienne forged on alone, and the company’s name changed to simply F. Barbedienne.
Barbedienne employed more than 300 workers at that point, and the Maison created a range of furnishings and decorative objects that featured the integration of marble and ormolu accents. However, with the onset of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, the foundry was forced to retrofit its molds, and the production of cannons replaced sculptures, furniture and vases.
When Ferdinand Barbedienne passed away in 1891, his nephew and heir, Gustave Leblanc, took over as president, changing the name to Leblanc-Barbedienne. Leblanc expanded production into Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States, carrying on the company's legacy with monumental sculptures, and models and securing production rights for famous statues. Paul-Alexandre Dumas, an Art Nouveau maker and student of Louis Majorelle, succeeded Leblanc until the company's closing in 1952.
Barbedienne pieces had been exhibited regularly in the 19th century and were especially prevalent at Europe’s international expositions and world’s fairs, where they received numerous awards. Today, the Musée d’Orsay in Paris holds dozens of Barbedienne works in its collection, including intricate mirrors, vases and cups created by Louis-Constant Sévin at the foundry. For more than two decades, Sévin created lamps, boxes and more at Maison Barbedienne. Working alongside award-winning chaser Désiré Attarge, Sévin designed Napoleon III-era works that greatly appealed to European nobility.
Other notable artists who collaborated with Barbedienne included Eugene Aizelin, Emmanuel Fremiet, Antonin Mercié, Emile Guillemin, Edouard Lievre, Ferdinand Levillain and Auguste Rodin.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Barbedienne decorative objects, lighting and collectibles.
Crouching Venus Grand Tour Bronze Patinated Sculpture F. Barbedienne Fondeur
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Rochester, NY
Grand tour bronze sculpture of the "Crouching Venus" after the antique. Fine patina. 19th century. Ferdinand Barbedienne (French, 1821-1902). not signed . rare. museum...
Bronze
A Monumental French Patinated Bronze Bust of William Shakespeare, after Houdon
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Queens, NY
A Monumental French Patinated Bronze Bust of William Shakespeare, after Houdon, by F. Barbedienne Foundry, circa 1870. Masterfully and realistically sculpted in solid bronze, this b...
Bronze
$1,500
H 12 in W 3 in D 3 in
Trisha I - Elegant Original Figurative Bronze Sculpture
By Nando Kallweit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
German sculptor Nando Kallweit produces figurative bronze sculptures and reliefs with aquiline and a graceful modern appeal. Kallweit is inspired by seemingly disparate cultures; the strength of ancient Egyptian sculptures...
Metal, Bronze
Past Lives
Located in BARCELONA, ES
According to reincarnation theory, there are lives previously lived in different bodies. Some people say they have memories of their past lives. May be one of the reason that you fee...
Marble, Bronze, Wire
$4,979
H 18.51 in W 7.88 in D 11.03 in
Tree of Life, Bronze Sculpture by Volodymyr Mykytenko, 2022
Located in Zofingen, AG
Volodymyr Mykytenko - Tree of Life (2022) Tree of Life-a tree in the middle of the Garden of Eden, the fruits of which give eternal life, planted by God along with the Tree of the k...
Bronze
Petite Femme Chiffonnèe
By Antoniucci Volti
Located in Villafranca Di Verona, IT
Numbered and limited to 8 copies Artwork signed Authenticity: Sold with certificate of Authenticity Invoice from the gallery Sculpture: bronze, metal, bronze patina Display: The sc...
Metal, Bronze
$7,000
H 13 in W 4 in D 6 in
The Pleiades-Celaeno 4/8 - emotive, nude, female, figurative, bronze statuette
By Richard Tosczak
Located in Bloomfield, ON
Canadian artist Richard Tosczak is known for his beautiful figurative sculptures. This bronze statuette of a nude female leaning as if against a wall, hands behind her back was first...
Bronze
Gilded Bronze & Malachite Table with Vases
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gilded Bronze & Malachite Table with Vases Malachite Table 42"H x 34.5"W Malachite Pair of Vases 27.75"H x 8.5"W x 8"D An exceptional gilded bronze and malachite guéridon tab...
Bronze
Germinal h cm 40 (blue patina)
By Antoniucci Volti
Located in Villafranca Di Verona, IT
Numbered and limited to 8 copies Artwork signed Authenticity: Sold with certificate of Authenticity Invoice from the gallery Sculpture: bronze, metal, bronze patina Display: The s...
Bronze
Germinal h cm 40
By Antoniucci Volti
Located in Villafranca Di Verona, IT
Numbered and limited to 8 copies Artwork signed Authenticity: Sold with certificate of Authenticity Invoice from the gallery Sculpture: bronze, metal, bronze patina Display: The sc...
Bronze
$5,300
H 13 in W 5.32 in D 4.73 in
“Purple shark” - Bronze sculpture, figurative sculpture
By John Bizas
Located in New York, NY
This bronze sculpture by John Bizas is from his latest body of works!! The version of that size in bronze casting is going to be in a total number of 10 pieces each of them in a diff...
Bronze
Egèe assise h cm 140
By Antoniucci Volti
Located in Villafranca Di Verona, IT
Numbered and limited to 8 copies Artwork signed Authenticity: Sold with certificate of Authenticity Invoice from the gallery Sculpture: bronze, metal, bronze patina Display: The sc...
Metal, Bronze
$34,000
H 66 in W 24 in D 24 in
Deliverance 3/5 - tall, bronze, balancing, nude, male figure, outdoor sculpture
By W.W. Hung
Located in Bloomfield, ON
The unique contemporary figurative sculptures of William Hung often express the human condition and are imbued with emotion. This striking piece, cast in ...
Bronze
$8,500
H 18.75 in W 6.5 in D 4.5 in
The Pleiades-Taygete 1/8 - emotive, nude, female, figurative, bronze statuette
By Richard Tosczak
Located in Bloomfield, ON
The elegant form of a nude female figure is captured in this sculpture by Canadian artist Richard Tosczak. This table-top piece is named after ‘Taygete’ one of the Pleiades--seven sister nature deities (nymphs) found in Greek mythology. She stands, head bowed, arms clasped around her neck as if in deep thought. Known for his beautiful figurative work, this piece retains the artist’s signature highly textured appearance and rich earthy patina. Tosczak’s pieces are first conceived on paper in quick pen and ink drawings. The spontaneity of this approach is evident in the almost abstract appearance of the sculpture. Edition one of eight. “What inspires/informs my work? In a word, observation. I notice things…a gesture…an accident.” Richard Tosczak Born in Belgium, Richard Tosczak studied philosophy and sculpture at the University of Alberta. At that time, Tosczak began working in steel and was influenced by a number of his professors who appreciated the work of a British abstract sculptor, Sir Anthony Caro considered one of the greatest sculptors of his generation. Further studies were pursued in France with another internationally acclaimed classic sculptor, Martine Vaugel...
Bronze
Sold
H 18.5 in W 22.5 in D 14 in
Large Grand Tour Bronze Greco-Roman Uffizi Wrestlers Ferdinand Barbedienne
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Rochester, NY
Grand tour circa 1860s bronze of the Wrestlers. Rich fine dark brown patina. Marked "F. Barbedienne Fondeur." The Wrestlers also known as The Two Wrestlers, The Uffizi Wrestlers...
Bronze, Metal
Sold
H 21 in W 13.5 in D 9 in
Large and Rare Patinated Bronze Bust of George Washington, by F. Barbedienne
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Queens, NY
A Large and Rare Patinated Bronze Bust of George Washington, after Houdon by F. Barbedienne Foundry, circa 1870. Very nice quality green patinated bronze bust of President...
Bronze
Sold
H 7.5 in W 5 in D 3 in
Jean-Baptiste Auguste Clesinger, French Bronze Bust of Jesus Christ, Barbedienne
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Queens, NY
An exceptional French patinated realistic miniature bronze bust of Jesus Christ, 1858 Signed: J CLESINGER. 1858 and F. BARBEDIENNE FONDEUR, with...
Bronze
Sold
H 10.5 in W 5.5 in
Jean-Baptiste Auguste Clesinger, French Bronze Bust of Jesus Christ, Barbedienne
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Queens, NY
A French Miniature patinated bronze bust of Jesus Christ on a round wood base, 1858. Signed: J CLESINGER. Rome. 1858 with F. BARBEDIENNE FONDEU...
Bronze
Sold
H 13 in W 9 in D 5 in
Jean-Baptiste Auguste Clesinger, French Bronze Bust of Jesus Christ, Barbedienne
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Queens, NY
An exceptional French patinated realistic bronze bust of Jesus Christ, 1858. Signed: J CLESINGER. Rome. 1858 with F. BARBEDIENNE FONDEUR, with the Red...
Bronze
Sold
H 10.5 in W 5 in D 4 in
An Extremley Rare Silvered Metal Bust of George Washington by F. Barbedienne
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Queens, NY
An Extremely Rare French Silvered Metal Bust of George Washington by Ferdinand Barbedienne Fondeur, Paris, circa 1880. Signed. F. Barbe...
Metal