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 prizes. 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 antique Ferdinand Barbedienne decorative objects, lighting and more.
Auguste-Nicolas CAÏN, two monumental bronze groups, original stone bases, 1893
By Auguste Cain, Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
These two groups were commissioned by Jacques Stern (1839-1902) from one of the greatest animal painters of the second half of the 19th century, Auguste-Nicolas Caïn, renowned for hi...
Stone, Bronze
$3,969Sale Price / set|20% Off
19th Century Andirons in Gilt Bronze, Signed by Ferdinand Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in NICE, FR
We present you with this beautiful pair of large andirons with their gilded bronze bar. They exemplify the exuberant Napoleon III style and they originate from the late 19th century....
Bronze
Pair of French 19th Century Renaissance St. Columns, Signed Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and extremely decorative true pair of French 19th century Renaissance st. patinated bronze and ormolu columns signed Barbedienne. Each column is raised by superb lion legs with handsome paw feet and exceptional ormolu palmette leaves. At the base is an elegant urn shaped support with fine foliate and reeded designs with impressive richly chased open winged maidens at each side. The circular lightly tapered central supports display exceptional and finely detailed wrap around ormolu plaques with superb bison skulls...
Bronze, Ormolu
True Pair Of French 19th Century Napoleon III Period Ormolu & Bronze Andirons
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite and monumental true pair of French 19th century Napoleon III Period Renaissance st. Ormolu and patinated Bronze andirons, stamped by F. Barbedienne. Each andiron has an ...
Bronze, Ormolu
Large 19th Century French Bronze Borghese Vase Cast by Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in New York, NY
Large Bronze Grand Tour Jardiniere Planter by Barbedienne with neoclassical satyr masks and designs, after the original Borghese vase by Giovanni Zoffoli (1785-1845). Exceptionally ...
Bronze
French Neo-grec gilt bronze pedestal by Ferdinand Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in New York, NY
A Fine Quality French Neo-grec patinated and gilt bronze revolving pedestal with female heads wearing greek hairstyles with organically shaped leaf...
Bronze
French Gilt Metal Mounted Alabaster Pedestal
Located in Astoria, NY
French Gilt Metal Mounted Alabaster Pedestal, late 19th century, with a later square top on a tapering column and stepped square plinth. 41.5" H x 11" W x 11" D.
Stone, Alabaster, Marble
$277 / set
H 17.72 in W 11.23 in D 21.26 in
Hand Forged French Napoleon III Andirons or Firedogs, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III andirons period made of hand forged wrought iron. The andirons are in a good condition and fit for use in the fireplace.
Wrought Iron
$9,500
H 35.5 in W 15 in D 15 in
French Onyx and Gilt Bronze Foliage Garden Pedestal on Squared Base, Circa 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
French onyx and gilt bronze garden pedestal with a squared foliage bronze collar top, central turned column support, and resting on a squared foliage bronze collar base, Mid 19th Cen...
Onyx, Bronze
Pair of 19th Century French Oak Columns
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Superb quality pair of early 19th Century French oak columns. With carving throughout and standing on square bases. Circa 1820.
Wood
$3,920Sale Price|20% Off
H 8 in Dm 29 in
19th Century Cast Bronze Vessel Planter Sink with Handles & Original Patina
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Large cast bronze vessel originally used as a ceremonial cooking urn. This specific piece was beautifully cast with turned rings and moulded handles...
Bronze
French Napoleon III Andirons or Firedogs, 19th Century
Located in Amerongen, Amerongen
19th century French Napoleon III fireplace andirons or fire dogs, made of wrought iron. The andirons are in a good condition and are fully functional.
Wrought Iron
English Pair of 19th Century Stone Planters
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A wonderful pair of reconstituted stone planters from 19th century England, in the style of the famous Compton Pottery. Classical in shape as if from Greco-Roman antiquity, they are ...
Concrete
Pair of 19th Century Cast Iron Urns on Marbleized Pedestals
Located in Hudson, NY
This lovely pair of Campania form urns on painted and marbleized bases are from the 19th century. The urns show more wear and surface than the pedestals and both were used indoors as...
Iron
Pair of white marble columns late 19th century
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of columns in white marble with natural gray veins, ideal for setting white marble sculptures. French work from the late 19th century. Condition report: In good condition with ...
Marble
Pair Bronze Lions Monumental Cat Statues Gatekeepers Medici
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Absolutely stunning pair of giant bronze lions Measures: 6.5 feet - 198cm - head to toe so monumental Amazing patina and the artist really has captured the beauty to the beasts wit...
Bronze
19th C Large French White Cast Iron Jardiniere
Located in Hastings, GB
Dove Grey large scale Jardiniere, dating to circa 1890-1900, deep and heavy, decorative cast iron construction, historically overpainted in an aged dove grey paint which has resulted...
Iron
$3,500 / set
H 21 in W 5 in D 13.5 in
Pair French 19th Century Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Andirons / Chenets
Located in New York, NY
Pair of finely modeled and cast gilt bronze andirons (chenets) in the neoclassical style measuring 21 1/2 inches tall, 5 in wide and 13 1/2 in deep.
Bronze
Sold
H 18 in W 42 in D 4 in
Ferdinand Barbedienne, A Pair of French Ormolu and Champleve Enamel Andirons
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Long Island City, NY
Ferdinand Barbedienne, A Pair of French Ormolu and Champleve Enamel Andirons, Chenets, circa 1870. A rare and unusual pair of bronze and multi-colored champleve enameled andirons ...
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
19th Century Marble and Bronze French Pedestals
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in New Orleans, LA
Four complementary varieties of marble were selected to create this stately pair of French Louis XVI-style pedestals. Crafted in the neoclassical form of Corinthian columns, the pede...
Marble, Bronze