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.
19th-Century French Patinated and Gilt Bronze Inkwell by Ferdinand Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Porto, PT
19th-Century French Patinated and Gilt Bronze Inkwell by Ferdinand Barbedienne. A finely cast French patinated and gilt bronze inkwell by Ferdinand Barbedienne, dating from the secon...
Bronze
A Fine Quality Bronze Inkwell by Ferdinand Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in New York, NY
A grand 19th century bronze and champlevé inkwell with yellow background and large burgundy trefoils with ivy leaf and cherry blossom pattern. With a...
Bronze, Enamel
Ferdinand Barbedienne " Diana" Sculpture, 19th Century
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Madrid, ES
"Diane de Gabies" French sculpture, late 19th century. Patinated bronze with "Ferdinand Barbedienne" foundry marks. Height: 51 cm. Very goo...
Bronze
$5,000
H 2.76 in W 9.85 in D 5.12 in
Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze inkwell. France, late 19th century.
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze inkwell. France, late 19th century.
Bronze, Enamel
$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
19th Century French Crystal and Bronze Inkwell
By L'Escalier de Cristal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century French Crystal and Bronze Mounumental Inkwell. Signed. Escalier de Cristal Paris.
Crystal, Bronze
$10,254 / set
H 18.51 in W 4.73 in D 0.99 in
Four Antique Bronze Plaques Depicting Water-Nymphs, by Ferdinand Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Four antique bronze plaques depicting water-nymphs, by Ferdinand Barbedienne French, 19th century. Measures: Height 47cm, width 12cm, depth 2.5cm Finely cast in relief from patinated bronze with parcel gilt patina, these French 19th Century panels each depict a Classical female water-nymph. The relief structure and design is after four panels from the important marble fountain from the Renaissance period in Paris called the Fontaine des Innocents. This was created by the French sculptor Jean Goujon...
Bronze
19th Century Ferdinand Barbedienne Tazza Dish in Gilt Bronze & Enamel
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Lincoln, GB
Artwork by Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892) Tazza Dish The enamel work has an Oriental decorative style with ottoman/ middle estern motifs The tazza / dish is supported by a nicel...
Brass, Enamel
French Victorian Bronze Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
French Victorian bronze square inkwell with 2 cornucopia pen holders.
Bronze
Inkwell In Gilt Bronze And Crystal, 19th century
Located in Bilzen, BE
Inkwell in gilded bronze and crystal from the second half of the 19th century Original gilding in perfect condition 19th century, Napoleon III 8.2 x 10.6 cm, total height 8.2 cm
Crystal, Bronze
French Victorian Bronze Inkwell
Located in Queens, NY
French Victorian bronze square inkwell with 2 cornucopia pen holders. Previously broken hinge, inkwell lid is not attached
Bronze
19th Century Malachite and Gilt Bronze Inkwell
Located in Paris, FR
19th century malachite inkwell. The circular plate for resting a fountain pen houses a crystal inkpot in its center. The plate and the inkpot's stopper are embellished with a gilt bronze cross...
Crystal, Malachite
French Empire Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Inkwell
Located in London, GB
A highly rare and remarkably sophisticated French Charles X period luxury desk accessory, measuring 33 cm in height. Designed as an exceptional suspension inkwell (encrier), this pie...
Bronze, Ormolu
Set of Four Spelter Plaques by Ferdinand Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Set of four spelter plaques by Ferdinand Barbedienne French, late 19th century Measures: Height 45cm, width 12cm, depth 0.5 cm This set of four pla...
Spelter
Sold
H 4.34 in W 1.78 in D 1.58 in
Beautiful paperweight in bronze by F. Barbedienne, ”The hand of grand duchess”
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Knivsta, SE
An antique and beautiful bronze paperweight by the renowned French artist Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892). This piece is a meticulous representation of the left hand of Maria Pavlo...
Bronze
Neoclassical Red Marble and Gilt Bronze Ink Stand by Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical griotte marble and gilt bronze ink stand by Barbedienne French, 19th century Size: Height 25cm, width 36cm, 21cm This magnificent ink...
Griotte Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
French Bronze and Champleve Enamel Inkwell Encrier by Ferdinand Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
French bronze and Champleve Cloisonne enamel inkwell Encrier by Ferdinand Barbedienne, circa 1870. Signed F. Barbedienne Measures: 5.5" high x 6.5" diameter. Good antique co...
Bronze, Enamel