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.
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
$2,008Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 18.51 in W 5.91 in D 14.97 in
Antique French Bronze & Marble Three-Piece Mantel Set Clock Napoleon III
Located in Labrit, Landes
Napoleon III French two marbles mantel clock late 19th century circa 1890. Set of a clock and two pedestals. Mercury pendulum The French movement of the clock will be checked befor...
Marble, Brass
Noble Pendule/Mantel Clock Napoleon III "Gros à Lyon" Paris
Located in Berlin, DE
Noble Pendule/Mantel Clock Napoleon III "Gros à Lyon" Paris France, circa 1850/60 Bronze, matte-gilt with polished edges. On a high base decorated with vines and a putto as Mars in f...
Bronze
$2,744Sale Price|20% Off
H 23.23 in W 29.53 in D 11.82 in
Napoleon III Mantel clock in Black marble and bronce philosopher sculture
By Paris Studio
Located in Valladolid, ES
Napoleon III Mantel clock in Black marble clock surmounted by a patinated bronze representing a Greek writer or philosopher holding the a manuscript on his knees One of a kind an...
Marble, Bronze
$17,681
H 12.21 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in
French Napoleon III Bronze Peacock Mantel Clock Viot & Cie, 19th C.
Located in BARCELONA, ES
An exceptional French mantel clock by Viot & Cie, dating to the Napoleon III period, circa 1860–1880. The sculptural composition features a finely cast peacock supporting the circul...
Marble, Bronze
$117,879
H 31.5 in W 31.5 in D 13.39 in
French Louis XV Style “Tournant” Mantel Clock, Napoleon III Period, Paris, 1855
By Eug. Vincent & Cie
Located in MADRID, ES
French Louis XV Style “Tournant” Mantel Clock, Napoleon III Period, Paris, 1855 In gilt bronze (ormolu) and Sèvres enamel. The base is crafted in white Carrara marble, decorated wit...
Carrara Marble, Bronze, Copper, Enamel
$4,243
H 17.13 in W 11.03 in D 6.3 in
Marble and Gilt Bronze Clock with Mythological Decor, Napoleon III Period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Marble and gilt bronze clock with mythological decor, 19th century, Napoleon III period. A 19th century Napoleon III period clock in marble and gilt bronze with a mythological theme...
Marble, Bronze
19th Сentury Napoleon III Period Clock
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A 19th century Napoleon III period clock in Griotte marble and Regula. Measures: H: 43 cm, W: 25 cm, D: 17 cm.
Griotte Marble
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 Napoleon III Fire-Gilt Bronze Figural Mantel Clock
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This beautifully detailed Napoleon III fire-gilt bronze figural mantel clock is from France, circa 1860-1880. Featuring a graceful maiden in classical dress seated upon a boulder. Th...
Bronze
$42,000 / set
H 30.5 in W 24.5 in D 11 in
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
Napoleon III Gilt Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in Lomita, CA
This is a wonderful Napoleon III ormolu mantle clock from the estate of a Los Angeles collector from around 1860. There is a zaftig little boy perched at the top of the clock, and f...
Brass
$8,487Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.15 in W 14.57 in D 5.91 in
Napoleon III French Bronze Mantel Clock Set from the 19th Century
Located in Opole, PL
Napoleon III French Bronze Mantel Clock Set from the 19th Century A figural set featuring putti, known as a mantel clock set, consisting of a mantel ...
Brass, Bronze
Table Clock Ferdinand Barbedienne, 19th Century
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Milano, IT
Ferdinand Barbedienne table clock in white marble and gilt bronze. The clock is set inside a fluted column in white marble and rests on a square base. The gilt bronze decorations are with vegetable and Greek motifs and a laurel wreath surrounds the base of the column. The exhibition in white marble with hours in gilded bronze...
Marble, Bronze