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
Sappho
By Jean-Baptiste Clésinger 1
Located in New York, NY
JEAN-BAPTISTE CLÉSINGER French, (1814-1883) Sappho Patinated bronze; Signed CLESINGER, inscribed: F. BARBEDIENNE. FONDEUR and stamped: A. COLLAS. BREVETE. REDUCTION MECANIQUE...
Bronze
$1,504
H 11.82 in W 2.96 in D 2.96 in
Amanda by Nando Kallweit. Elegant figurative sculpture of a female.
By Nando Kallweit
Located in Coltishall, GB
Amandas unique silhouette makes her an admirable centerpiece, capable of commanding attention in any setting. Her minimalist design highlights smooth contours and sinuous lines that ...
Bronze
$2,454
H 12.6 in W 10.24 in D 12.6 in
Sina by Nando Kallweit. Elegant figurative sculpture.
By Nando Kallweit
Located in Coltishall, GB
Sina rises with graceful poise. Her arms extend horizontally to create a sense of openness and vulnerability. Light plays across the textured surface, highlighting the contrast betwe...
Bronze
$4,650
H 55.12 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
Marlene III by Nando Kallweit. Tall, elegant bronze sculpture of human figure.
By Nando Kallweit
Located in Coltishall, GB
Marlene III is a tall, elegant bronze sculpture of a human figure. Nando Kallweit is a German sculptor working in bronze and oak. Kallweit carves the original piece from a piece of oak using a chainsaw. The oak marque is then used to create a cavity in clay and sand into which the bronze is poured. The resultant bronze is particularly organic and tactile. The wood grain is apparent, as are the cut marks where the chainsaw has bitten into the wood. As a young boy, Kallweit was inspired by the beauty and antiquity of a bust of Nefertiti...
Bronze
$943
H 9.45 in W 1.97 in D 2.76 in
Flora I by Nando Kallweit. Elegant figurative sculpture of a female.
By Nando Kallweit
Located in Coltishall, GB
Flora I is an elegant sculpture that captures the essence of modern minimalism, portraying a stylized female figure with elongated, graceful lines. Her torso twists subtly, lending a...
Bronze
$741
H 9.06 in W 1.97 in D 1.19 in
En Amore II by Nando Kallweit. Elegant figurative bronze sculpture of 2 women
By Nando Kallweit
Located in Coltishall, GB
En Amore II is a bronze figurative sculpture about love and companionship by Nando Kallweit. The sculpture is of two elongated, abstract figures in close communion. The minimalist...
Bronze
$1,504
H 11.82 in W 2.96 in D 2.96 in
Trisha by Nando Kallweit. Elegant figurative sculpture of a female.
By Nando Kallweit
Located in Coltishall, GB
Trishas unique silhouette makes her an admirable centerpiece, capable of commanding attention in any setting. Her minimalist design highlights smooth contours and sinuous lines that ...
Bronze
Contemporary Bronze Male Torso Sculpture
By Roger Reutimann
Located in Boulder, CO
This contemporary bronze sculpture by Swiss-American artist Roger Reutimann combines the refinement of classical figurative sculpture with a clean modern aesthetic. Featuring a power...
Bronze
$9,504
H 36 in W 8 in D 8 in
Family XII by Nando Kallweit. Elegant figurative bronze sculpture of a couple.
By Nando Kallweit
Located in Coltishall, GB
Family XII is an elegant figurative bronze sculpture portraying a couple in love by Nando Kallweit. There is an intimacy to the piece that celebrates the shared joy between two peop...
Bronze
$4,600
H 25.6 in W 22.05 in D 22.45 in
Georgian Contemporary Sculpture by Erekle Tsuladze - Panda 1
By Erekle Tsuladze
Located in Paris, IDF
Artificial stone & nickel bronze
Stone, Bronze
$32,000
H 76 in W 15 in D 15 in
Pair of Contemporary Bronze Nude Sculptures on Black Granite Bases
By Roger Reutimann
Located in Boulder, CO
Measurements Male: Figure: H=35” W=15” D=8” with base H=6’4” weight ca. 600 lbs. Edition of 9 2009 Measurements Female: Figure: H=34” W=14” D=7.5” with base H=6’-3” weigh...
Granite, Bronze, Stainless Steel
$676
H 3.55 in W 4.73 in D 2.37 in
John. By Nando Kallweit. Elegant bronze figurative sculpture.
By Nando Kallweit
Located in Coltishall, GB
John is an elegant figurative bronze sculpture by Nando Kallweit. Modelled on modern youthful postures but with a nod to the importance of heritage through the stylised Egyptian-inf...
Bronze
$43,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.5 in W 4 in D 2.75 in
Henry Moore Two Standing Women 1983 Cast Bronze Sculpture Signed Edition of 9
By Henry Moore
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Henry Moore Title: Two Standing Women Medium: Cast Bronze Sculpture Edition: 1/9 Size: 6.5" x 4" x 2.75" Year: 1983 Inscription: Incised signature and edition number 1/9 on b...
Bronze
Sold|$1,504
H 11.03 in W 3.94 in D 3.55 in
Silvi by Nando Kallweit. Elegant figurative sculpture.
By Nando Kallweit
Located in Coltishall, GB
Nando Kallweit's Silvi captures a minimalist, abstract female figure seated in a casual, cross-legged pose. The bronze sculpture exhibits a sleek, matte finish that enhances its mo...
Bronze
$676
H 3.55 in W 4.73 in D 1.58 in
Annalee con cavallo. By Nando Kallweit. Elegant bronze figurative sculpture
By Nando Kallweit
Located in Coltishall, GB
Annalee con cavallo is an elegant figurative bronze sculpture by Nando Kallweit. A female fibute leans her head against a horses neck in a moment of tender communion Edtion of 9
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...
Metal, Bronze
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 12.5 in W 9 in D 4.5 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, circa 1858 Signed: J CLESINGER. & F. BARBEDIENNE FONDEUR, with the Reduction Me...
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