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 Ferdinand Barbedienne, Auguste Cain
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
Monumental Pair of Italian Carved Stone Obelisks
Located in Rome, IT
Pair of finely carved elegant stone obelisks on a square base. Timeless decoration for your garden or interior. Measurements, Obelisks - Height cm 210 ( 83 inches ) Bases- Height cm...
Stone
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
$54,653 / set
H 78.75 in W 15.75 in D 23.63 in
Monumental Pair of Early 19th Century Stone Statues of Saints
Located in London, GB
A stunning and monumental pair of carved stone statues, depicting Saint Mark and Saint Luke English, circa 1820 The statues stand 2 meters tall, they were originally housed in the e...
Stone
$48,000 / set
H 54 in W 27.5 in D 27.5 in
Pair of Monumental Carved Stone Garden Fruit Basket from Famed Vouziers Mansion
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of unique monumental hand-carved stone garden fruit basket from famed Vouziers Mansion Florissant, Missouri. The French Country Chateau Vouziers was built in 1926 on a 250 acre estate for Magnet Joseph Desloge, part of the oldest French families in the USA. These Baskets were commissioned for the residence and imported from France. Each basket is unique and has it's own base. Stone has patina, appear to have been cleaned. Minor loss, see photos. Additional documentation is available. Limestone bases are 23.5" H x 27.5" W. Baskets are (need to measure). These were purchase from the estate of Joseph Desloge's daughter, Anne Desloge Werner Bates, and confirmed by her son and daughter that they were moved upon the sale of Vouziers in the 1970s to Anne's residence that was part of the Vouziers 250 acre estate. From Wikipedia : The Desloge Family /dəˈloʊʒ/, one of the oldest French families in United States, Missouri and St. Louis, rose to wealth through international commerce, sugar refining, oil...
Stone
$2,250Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 16.5 in Dm 20 in
Monumental Pair of Antique Cast Stone Fruit and Flower Baskets
Located in Redding, CT
Monumental pair of antique cast stone fruit and flower baskets. Lovely aged patina to these beautiful detailed bouquets. These incredible garden ornam...
Stone, Cement
Two Tall Architectural Sitting Stone Concrete Lions, a Pair
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pair of two concrete stone lions. Such a wonderful way to add a regal look to an entryway. (Or perhaps even a driveway.) Each lion sits on its hind legs, with its front paws outstr...
Concrete
$2,000 / set
H 19 in W 8.5 in D 12 in
Two Large Tall Architectural Garden Stone Concrete Horse Busts, a Pair
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pair of two cast concrete stone horse busts. Such a wonderful way to add a regal look to an entryway. (Or perhaps even a driveway.) Each piece depicts the bust of a horse with a flowing mane. Each sits upon a small square base. We also have large concrete lions...
Concrete
$2,500 / set
H 33 in W 16 in D 21 in
Two Large Tall Architectural Sitting Stone Concrete Lions, a Pair
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pair of two cast concrete stone lions. Such a wonderful way to add a regal look to an entryway. (Or perhaps even a driveway.) Each lion sits on its hind legs, with its front paws o...
Concrete
$80,103
H 94.49 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Monumental Early 20th Century Bronze Sculpture of Hercules after the Farnese Mod
Located in Madrid, ES
Impressive and monumental bronze sculpture of Hercules, executed in the early 1900s after the celebrated Farnese Hercules model, one of the most iconic representations of the hero fr...
Bronze
Monumental York Stone Carving After the Parthenon Frieze
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A huge, weathered York stone carving of a neoclassical or Roman figure on horseback after the antique 6th century BC Greek Parthenon Frieze. Spanning approximately 1.9 x 1.2 m (6ft x...
Stone
Exceptional Pair of Monumental Bronze Lions
Located in Manzano, IT
prestigious pair of mirror bronze sculptures depicting lions in "couchant" (crouching) pose. These visually and artistically striking pieces come from the outdoor furnishings of a hi...
Bronze
$31,075
H 118.12 in W 19.69 in D 23.63 in
Monumental Pair of Italian Carved Stone Obelisks with Elephants
Located in Rome, IT
Pair of finely carved elegant stone obelisks decorated with leave garlands, on a square base. Inspired by Bernini's elephant in Piazza della Minerva Rome. Timeless decoration for y...
Stone