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.
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
$28,500 / set
H 29 in W 19.13 in D 9.75 in
A French 19th C. Louis XV Style Ormolu Cherub Clock & Candelabra Garniture Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An Assembled Very Fine French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze and White Marble Figural Mantel Clock and Candelabra Garniture Set. The finely chased ormolu clock body, with it...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Ormolu Cartel Wall Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu wall clock, having Rococo influences to the scroll foliate decoration and cherubs above the eight day striking movement, circa 1880.
Ormolu
A Louis XVI Style Ormolu Cartel Clock
Located in Sheffield, MA
With a circular white enamel dial, surmounted by swags and ending with a woman’s face. Morbiere Movement
$19,850Sale Price|73% Off
H 46.5 in W 22 in D 8 in
Fine French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Cartel Clock Lerolle Freres
By Lerolle Freres
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and Palatial French 19th Century Louis XV Style gilt bronze figural cartel clock by Lerolle Frères, the finely frame body with a circular face with Roman numerals, the ce...
Ormolu
Louis XV Style Cartel Clock
Located in Pembroke, MA
Louis XV style Cartel clock in gilt bronze with painted porcelain dial. The case has been re-gilded, and features typical rocaille ornament such as laurel leaves and berries, flowers...
Ormolu, Bronze
Large Antique French Louis XV Ormolu Rococo Cartel Wall Clock
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A large and stunning original antique French Cartel Wall clock in finely gilded bronze, dating from around 1880. Elegantly designed in the Rococo style of Louis XV, it is formed of b...
Ormolu
$2,200
H 25 in W 13 in D 4.75 in
19th Century French Ormolu Bronze Cartel Wall Clock in Louis XVI Style
Located in New York, NY
Antique (19th century) French ormolu bronze cartel wall clock in the Louis XVI style, 28 by 14 by 4 3/4 inches. White enamel face signed with the mark of the retailer, JACQUET-LACAR...
Bronze
$11,555
H 31.89 in W 17.33 in D 5.91 in
French 19th Century Rococo Cartel Wall Clock, in the Louis XVI Style
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive 19th century Louis XVI style gilded ormolu and patinated bronze sun burst cartel wall clock. Depicting cherubs among clouds and sun rays. The white enamel clock fac...
Bronze, Ormolu
$14,225
H 28.35 in W 13.39 in D 5.12 in
Late 18th Century, French Louis XVI Neoclassical Ormolu Gilt Bronze Cartel Clock
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very fine Louis XVI period ormolu striking cartel clock “aux guirlandes”, the movement signed on the white enamel by Gille L’Aine, Paris. Pierre II. Gille l’ainé (1723-1784) was th...
Bronze, Enamel
$8,836
H 17 in W 13.5 in D 9.5 in
19th Century French Ormolu Mantle Clock in the Louis XV Rococo Style
Located in London, GB
An Elegant Mantle Clock In the Louis XV Manner The clock and its plinth executed in gilt bronze in a dynamic rococo style, rising from scrolling foliage, the dial in the shape of a ...
Ormolu, Bronze
Louis XVI Ormolu Cartel Clock
Located in Kittery Point, ME
A period Louis XVI Ormolu Cartel Clock, also known alternatively as 'Cartel d'Alcove' or 'œil de bœuf Cartel d’Alcove' or bull's eye, the circular dial headed by a cockerel, within a...
Ormolu
$28,950Sale Price / set|61% Off
H 45.25 in W 13 in D 4.38 in
Pair of French 19th Century Louis XV Style Ebonized Cartel Clock and Barometer
By CAM Opticien
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and palatial pair of French 19th- 20th century Louis XV style ebonized and gilt bronze-mounted cartel clock and matching barometer by La Maison Cam Opticien. The pair sim...
Bronze