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.
Very Large Ormolu Marble Regulator Calendar Mantle Clock Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne, Louis-Constant Sevin
Located in London, GB
Very Large Ormolu Marble Regulator Calendar Mantle Clock Barbedienne French, Late 19th Century Height 121cm, width 64cm, depth 28cm Expertly produced in France during the final de...
Griotte Marble, Enamel, Ormolu
Large Louis XV Style Rococo Ormolu Three-Piece Clock Set by Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Large Louis XV style Rococo ormolu three-piece clock set by Barbedienne French, late 19th century Clock: height 58cm, width 51cm, depth 19cm Candelabra: height 75cm, width 35cm, d...
Enamel, Ormolu
Neoclassical Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Clock Set by Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical style porcelain and gilt bronze clock set by Barbedienne French, late 19th Century Clock: Height 53cm, width 27cm, depth 24cm Candelabra: Height 56cm, width 19cm, dep...
Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century Bronze Three Piece Garniture Clock Set by Ferdinand Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unusual monumental clock set in Griotte marble signed Barbedienne and on the top of the clock you have a bronze made by one of the famous bronze m...
Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Rouge Griotte Marble Clock Set
By Ferdinand Barbedienne, Eugene-Antoine Aizelin
Located in London, GB
Louis XVI style ormolu and rouge griotte marble clock set French, 1867 Clock: height 67cm, width 46cm, depth 28cm Candelabra: height 81cm...
Griotte Marble, Ormolu
Antique Patinated Bronze and Onyx Mantel Clock by Mercié and Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne, Antonin Mercie
Located in London, GB
Antique patinated bronze and onyx mantel clock by Mercié and Barbedienne French, Late 19th Century Height 113cm, width 58cm, depth 40cm Two renowned French makers, Antonin Mercié (...
Onyx, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Sevin and Barbedienne
By Louis-Constant Sevin, Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
This ormolu clock is an exemplary work by the famous French 19th century metalworker and foundry-owner, Ferdiand Barbedienne. Working with a design made by the acclaimed onamentalist, Louis-Constant...
Ormolu, Bronze
Gilt Bronze and Hardstone Inlay Napoleon III Period Clock Set by Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Gilt bronze and hardstone inlay Napoleon III period clock set by Barbedienne French, 19th century Measures: Clock: Height 50cm, width 23cm, depth 16c...
Stone, Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century Barbedienne French Champleve Enamel and Gilt bronze clock set
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
19th Century Barbedienne French Champleve Enamel and Gilt bronze clock set A fine 19th Century French three piece clock garniture set. Comprising of a clock and pair of candelabra, ...
Bronze, Enamel
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Ormolu Clock Signed F. Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very elegant and richly chased 19th century French Louis XVI st. ormolu clock signed F. Barbedienne. The clock is raised by five toupee shaped feet. At the frieze are two rosettes encompassing a Rinceau design below the berried laurel band. Above is the original beveled curved glass door and enameled dial. The pediment is decorated with acanthus leaves. At the top is the urn of prosperity with a finial draped by a laurel leaf garland...
Ormolu
French clock in bronze by Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very nice clock in bronze made by F.BARBEDIENNE louis XVI style of very high quality the dial of the clock is in enamel, and its remarkably executed by one the best bronziers of ...
Bronze
$9,019Sale Price|44% Off
19th Century Rare French Mantel Clock by F. Barbedienne with Bronze Figures
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Sofia, BG
French mantel clock by Ferdinand Barbedienne consisting of a terminal clock in the form of a fluted column in white marble and de...
Marble, Bronze
Marble, Gilt, and Patinated Bronze Three-Piece Clock Set by Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Marble, gilt, and patinated bronze three-piece clock set by Barbedienne French, late 19th century Measures: Clock: Height 93cm, width 60cm, depth 28cm Candelabra: Height 97cm, width 46cm, depth 33cm This monumental marble, gilt, and patinated bronze three-piece set is a stunning example of Barbedienne's craftsmanship during the Parisian Belle Époque. Paul Dubois' 'Le Courage Militaire...
Griotte Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Napoleon III Period Mantel Clock by Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
This stunning clock expertly showcases the ingenuity of its maker, Ferdinand Barbedienne, and its smart styling in the opulent Napoleon III style will make it an excellent addition t...
Malachite, Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
A Quality Victorian Marble Mantle Clock
Located in Ipswich, GB
A quality Victorian Marble mantle clock with black Roman numerals with a white enamel face, the bronzed figural case surmounted by an Elizabeth...
Marble, Bronze
Gilt Bronze Mounted Porcelain Clock
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Norwood, NJ
Gilt bronze mounted continental Porcelain clock. Porcelain and gilt bronze mounted continental clock. Loius XVI style. Figural and floral painted scenes. Features open escapement...
Gold Plate, Bronze
Antique French Ormolu and White Marble Louis XVI Clock
By Samuel Marti
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A beautiful classical clock made in the style of Louis XVI by Samuel Marti. Stunning ormolu (finely gilded bronze) mounted on a marble base. It is decorated with an inset laurel swag...
Marble, Ormolu
$2,475
H 11.25 in W 8.75 in D 3.75 in
Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Mantlepiece Clock by Sterling Bronze Co.
By Sterling Bronze Co.
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Mantlepiece Clock by Sterling Bronze Co. originates from the United States, Circa 1900. This clock is a fine example of Neoclassical design, fe...
Bronze
$673Sale Price|30% Off
H 19 in W 10 in D 6 in
French Empire Marble Ormolu Mantle Clock Set Bronze Figurine
Located in Potters Bar, GB
- Gorgeous French Empire antique clock set - Mantle clock is flanked by two bronze urns on pedestals - Clock is surmounted by bronze fem...
Other
$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
$24,000Sale Price / set|52% Off
H 19.5 in W 13 in D 34 in
Ferdinand Barbedienne Set of Gilt Bronze-Mounted Champleve Onyx Garniture
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Ferdinand Barbedienne set of gilt bronze-mounted champleve onyx garniture. It consist of two urns and one large oval vase/jardiniere. The vase...
Onyx, Bronze
$59,700 / set
H 32 in W 16 in D 12 in
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Rouge Griotte Marble and Ormolu Clock Set
By Raingo Frères
Located in New York, NY
A Magnificent Large Antique French 19th Century Ormolu and Rouge Griotte marble clock set of exquisite craftsmanship. This spectacular clock set is comprising a pair of very large ni...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
$19,500 / set
H 25 in W 17 in D 9 in
Nice Late 19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Three Piece Clock Set
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Nice Late 19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Three Piece Clock Set The heavily bronze mounted clock with three putti, bronze designs of flowers, birds and instruments, sitting...
Bronze, Ormolu
Raingo Freres Mantle Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
A superb French silver over bronze clock by Raingo Freres. Signed Raingo Frères on the dial and on the works, on a Rouge Griotte marble base. Dimensions: Height 22" width 19 3/4" de...
Marble
$38,000 / set
H 29 in W 13 in D 9 in
Exceptional Late 19th Century Three-Piece Clock Set by Ferdinand Gervais
By Ferdinand Gervais
Located in Long Island City, NY
An exceptional late 19th century gilt bronze-mounted marble three-piece clock set By Ferdinand Gervais The lyre shaped case surrounded with bronze roses, acanthus and lilys, a ...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique French Ormolu Rococo Clock Set - Cupid
By Vincenti et Cie
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A beautiful antique French ormolu clock set in the Rococo style. It features cupid as a cherub, seated to the top with torch and quiver of...
Ormolu
Sold
H 25 in W 12 in D 8 in
Ferdinand Barbedienne, Museum Quality French Ormolu Champleve Enamel Clock Set
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
Ferdinand Barbedienne, A Museum Quality French Ormolu Champleve Enamel three-piece Clock Set Garniture. Comprising of a clock and a pair of Candelabra, with the highest quality Fren...
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Antique Barbedienne French Gilt Bronze Mantle Clock, circa 1870
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique French Barbedienne gilt bronze mantel clock features scrolled, foliate and scale decoration, hand-painted porcelain dial with floral swags with "Barbedienne" and &q...
Bronze