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.
Leblanc Barbedienne, Candle Holders, Late 1800s France
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in PARIS, FR
Superb art deco candleholders by LeBlanc Barbedienne. Beautiful and intricate decorations of pigeons and swallows. In bronze and Portor black and white veined marble. France, Late 18...
Marble, Bronze
A Late 19th Century Bronze Sculpture Entitled “Les Premiers Pas” by Henri Plé
By Henri Honoré Plé, F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Nice Late 19th Century Bronze Sculpture Entitled “Les Premiers Pas” (First Steps) by Henri Plé Henri Plé and Ferdinand Barbedienne Depicting a mother helping her baby learn how t...
Bronze
Pair of French Empire Green Marble Barbedienne Table Lamps
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Empire style (19th Century) green marble column candlestick lamps with bronze dore trimmed capital and square base (signed F. BARBEDIENNE) (PRICED AS Pair).
Marble, Bronze
Shepherds of Arcadia, Barbedienne Bronze, 19th Century
By F. Barbedienne Foundry, Eugene-Antoine Aizelin
Located in Brighton, Sussex
Barbedienne bronze of the Shepherds of Arcadia by Eugene Antoine Aizelin (French 1821-1902) Bergers d'Arcadie. Patinated bronze mounted on a rouge m...
Bronze
French 19th century Louis XVI/XV st. Ormolu cartel clock
By F. E. Becker & Co, F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most important and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI/XV st. Ormolu cartel clock, signed F. Barbedienne and E. Becker 98'. This impressive cartel clock with its original gi...
Ormolu
Barbedienne French Mantel Clock, circa 1890
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A fine quality Louis XVI style French gilded ormolu mantel clock, signed Barbedienne. Having shield and foliate decoration to the top, white enamel roman numerals, a lyre shaped pend...
Ormolu
19th Century Grand Tour Influenced Gilded Ormolu Ink Well, Stamped, Barbedienne
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality late 19th century French gilded Ormolu Gran Tour influenced gilded Ormolu ink well, having classing motifs and Roman Centurion bust embo...
Ormolu
$2,384Sale Price|20% Off
A Patinated Bronze Bust Depicting Moliere by the Barbedienne Foundry
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in 263-0031, JP
Houdin’s expressive yet classically poised bust of the 17th-century French playwright, originally in marble, has been finely cast and worked by the the Parisian bronze foundry Barbed...
Bronze
pair of French 19th century Ormolu and Enameled Vases, signed Barbedienne
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most impressive pair of French 19th century Louis XVI st. enameled Bronze and Ormolu vases, signed F. Barbedienne circa 1880. Each impressive Champlevé vase is raised ...
Bronze, Ormolu
$1,584Sale Price|20% Off
A Patinated Bronze Holy Water Font
By F. Barbedienne Foundry, Louis Kley
Located in 263-0031, JP
Signed “Kley,” after Louis Kley, a French sculptor (1833-1911). Stamped with the circular “Collas” stamp indicating that the reduction of this cast from the original was performed ac...
Bronze
pair of French 19th century Bronze and Ormolu candelabras, signed Barbedienne
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A high quality and large scale pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. Rouge Griotte Marble, patinated Bronze and Ormolu candelabras, signed F. Barbedienne. Each nine arm candel...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Marble and Gilt Bronze Table Lamps, Signed F. Barbedienne
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of marble and gilt bronze table lamps, signed F. Barbedienne. France, circa 1880-1890. The dimensions are without the shade. Doesn't include Lampshade
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Fine 19th Century French Patinated Bronze Urns by Barbedienne, Lamps
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of 19th century bronze patinated classical urns signed F. Barbedienne. Custom made into lamps.
Bronze
Pair of red marble and gilt bronze table candelabra by Barbedienne
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in London, GB
Pair of red marble and gilt bronze table candelabra by Barbedienne French, 19th Century Height 57cm, width 17cm, depth 15cm The exceptional candelabra in this pair, by the famed mak...
Marble, Ormolu
Ferdinand BARBEDIENNE - Bronze, The Flayed
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Beaune, FR
Rare bronze sculpture by Ferdinand BARBEDIENNE signed on the base representing a flayed. This bronze is in very good condition.
Bronze