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
$4,648
H 9.85 in W 28.75 in D 6.7 in
Else FÜRST (1873-1943), Fasane Foundry stamp of the Berlin foundry Kraas
Located in Berlin, DE
Else Fürst was a German sculptor and medalist who was murdered by the Nazis. Biographical data: Bronze signed Foundry stamp of the Berlin foundry Kraas. 25 x 73 cm Born: June 25,...
Bronze
$1,164
H 14.57 in W 9.06 in D 5.12 in
"Isadora II" contemporary bronze table, mural sculpture figurative ballet dance
Located in Kowloon, Hong Kong
Isadora II is a bronze sculpture with black patina, it is connected to a steel base. The edition size is 25. This sculpture stands on shelf as well as be hung on wall. Joan pays tribute to ballerina Isadora Duncan. Joan’s latest sculpture series of female figures brings an out-of-the-box approach to sculpture creation. The small vivid women figures linked or bonded to their pedestals; the figures are delicate and intriguing representation of a woman’s mind...
Bronze, Steel
$3,518
H 6.3 in W 5.52 in D 5.52 in
"Between the Streets" contemporary small figurative bronze sculpture girl travel
By Mireia Serra
Located in Kowloon, Hong Kong
When was the last time you broke yourself from the hustle and bustle of the daily routine, spent quality time with yourself and plan some travel plans to enrich your life? Edition S...
Bronze
$2,118
H 8.67 in W 5.12 in D 1.97 in
Small Runner "Start" II by Yann Guillon - Figurative bronze sculpture, athlete
By Yann Guillon
Located in Paris, FR
Small Runner "Start" II is a bronze sculpture by contemporary artist Yann Guillon, dimensions are 22 × 13 × 5 cm (8.7 × 5.1 × 2 in). Height of the sculpture with the metal base: 42 c...
Bronze
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 6 in W 12.5 in
Contemporary Reclining Bronze Nude Figurative Sculpture 'Spirit', brown, desktop
By Carl Payne
Located in Shrewsbury, Shropshire
'Spirit' by Carl Payne. Edition of 25. A small desktop bronze sculpture of a reclining nude figure captures the timeless beauty of the human form in a moment of repose. The sculptor...
Bronze
$3,600
H 12 in W 8.5 in D 6.75 in
Ted Egri Taos Modernist Judaica Cubist Bronze Sculpture Rabbi & Torah WPA Artist
By Ted Egri
Located in Surfside, FL
Ted Egri (American, 1913-2010) Bronze sculpture Rabbi Signed Egri and numbered 4/30 on side. Dimensions: 12"L x 8.5"H x 6.75" D Born in New York city in 1913 to a Hungarian Jewish emigre family (both of his parents were born in Hungary), Egri was first exposed to music later dropping that for art. He studied with Howard Giles at the Master Institute of the Roerich Museum in New York where he was introduced to Oriental arts, Chinese and Japanese art forms, and later with Hans Hofmann. He worked for the Federal Arts Project, the WPA, making mural paintings and silkscreen prints as well as easel painting. Once WWII began, Egri signed up to serve as a map maker for the Navy, and was witness to some of the fiercest battles in the Pacific. As an artist, he painted many important depictions of his wartime experiences and these works have all be donated to the U.S. Naval Museum. Already a practicing painter and instructor at the Kansas City Art Institute, Ted Egri came to Taos, New Mexico with his wife Kit in 1950 to continue his study of painting at Ribak's Taos Valley Art School on the GI Bill. Louis Ribak quickly introduced Egri to Eulalia Emetaz, the owner of La Galleria Escondida, who gave him his first one-person show in 1951. A prolific and versatile artist, as well as arts organizer and advocate, Egri's contributions to underserved African American, Native American, Hispanic and women were honored by two Taos mayors, with no less than two Ted Egri days during his 50-year art career in Taos. Egri remained in Taos. He became widely known for his sculpture, influenced by cubism and painting, with his style ranging from abstract to realistic. Egri had incredible draftsmanship - charcoal, pencil, pastel, watercolor, oils, mixed media, pen and ink, acrylic, gouache Over time his work gradually shifted from its focus on human struggle to an exploration of natural elements and the changes that come about as a result of living in a physical environment like Taos. "The impact of the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range and the vast spaces of the mesas directed me toward space and form. I moved into sculpture," Egri said in a 1987 interview with ARTSPACE magazine. He was included in a show at Stables Gallery along with Emil Bisttram, Louis Catusco, Edward Corbett, Lawrence Calcagno, Keith Crown, Andrew Dasburg, John De...
Bronze
$9,750
H 22 in W 15 in
Contemporary Bronze sculpture Ancient Greek Myth 'The Three Fates', figurative
By Carl Payne
Located in Shrewsbury, Shropshire
The Three Fates is a stunning contemporary bronze sculpture by Carl Payne, inspired by the ancient Greek mythological figures who were believed to control the destiny of all mortals....
Bronze
Man with Arms Raised
Located in London, GB
Bronze Numbered 1/10 32cm × 10cm × 10cm (incl. base) Ian Rank-Broadley is one of the foremost sculptors working today. His effigy of the late Queen Elizabeth II appears on all UK an...
Bronze
$27,535
H 57.49 in W 13 in D 16.15 in
Between Heaven and Earth, 4.8-ft High Bronze Sculpture of a Standing Male Figure
By Marine de Soos
Located in Paris, FR
Between Heaven and Earth is a bronze sculpture by French contemporary artist Marine de Soos, dimensions are 57.5 × 13 × 16.1 in / 146 × 33 × 41 cm. The sculpture is signed and numbe...
Bronze
Arlen Reclining
Located in London, GB
Bronze Numbered 4/10 21cm × 26cm × 57cm Ian Rank-Broadley is one of the foremost sculptors working today. His effigy of the late Queen Elizabeth II appears on all UK and Commonwealt...
Bronze
Man with Hoop
Located in London, GB
Bronze Numbered 2/10 32cm × 15cm × 16cm (incl. base) Ian Rank-Broadley is one of the foremost sculptors working today. His effigy of the late Queen Elizabeth II appears on all UK an...
Bronze
Torso of Ryan
Located in London, GB
Bronze Numbered 2/10 57cm × 18cm × 40cm (incl. base) Ian Rank-Broadley is one of the foremost sculptors working today. His effigy of the late Queen Elizabeth II appears on all UK an...
Bronze
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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