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.
Pair of Ferdinand Barbedienne Low Handled Bronze Borghese Urns
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Hastings, GB
Glorious and incredibly rare pair of 19th century gilt bronze low handled urns modelled after the original Borghese vase by Giovanni Zoffoli (c1785-1845) cast by Barbedienne in the ...
Bronze
19th C. French Islamic Champleve Enamel Vase and Underplate, Signed Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in New York, NY
A Fantastic 19th century French Islamic/Orientalist Style Champleve Enamel Vase and Underplate, Signed F. Barbedienne. The wide-mouthed vase terminates down a narrowing body and is m...
Bronze, Enamel
Pair of French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Belle Époque Period Urns
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely high quality pair of French 19th century Louis XVI st. Belle Époque period Rouge Griotte marble and ormolu urns, signed Ferdinand Barbedienne. Each most impr...
Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Louis XVI St. Ormolu Urn, Signed 'F. Barbedienne'
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A lovely French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu and marble urn, signed 'F. Barbedienne'. The urn is raised by a circular Rouge Griotte marble base with a bottom ormolu fillet. At t...
Marble, Ormolu
French Neoclassical Ormolu Amphora/Urn with Bacchanalia Motif by F. Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne, F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in North Miami, FL
Late 19th century Neoclassical gilt bronze ormolu amphora/urn with Bacchanalia decoration and marble base by Ferdinand Barbedienne, France By: Ferdinand Barbedienne Material: bronze...
Stone, Marble, Metal, Bronze, Copper, Ormolu, Tin
19th Century French Neoclassical Style Bronze Vase by Levillain and Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Levillain, Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
This elegant vase is cast entirely in bronze and it is signed by its makers, the sculptor Ferdinand Levillain (French, 1837-1905) and the master bronzier Ferdinand Barbedienne (Frenc...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Fine Pair of Neo-Classical Revival Bronze Urns Mounted as Lamps
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in New York, NY
Of ovoid form with classical figures cast in relief Maker: Ferdinand Barbedienne (1838-1953) Origin: French Date: late 19th century Dimension: 29 in high
Bronze
Pair of French Mid-19th Century Bronze and Marble Tazzas Signed F. Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of French 19th century patinated bronze and Vert de Patricia marble tazzas, signed F. Barbedienne and after the renowned Albani vase. Each ...
Marble, Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Miniature Gilt Bronze and Champlevé Enamel Vases
Located in London, GB
A pair of gilt bronze and champlevé enamel vases Constructed from solid fire-gilded bronze, the miniature decorative vases supported on square plinths rising from paw feet, the co...
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
Pair of French Restoration Urns, 19th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of French restoration urns. 19th century In ormolu and patinated bronze on rouge griotte marble bases.
Griotte Marble, Bronze
$32,988
H 11.82 in W 31.11 in D 11.82 in
Large and Finely Cast Neo-Grec Jardinière by Ferdinand Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A large and finely cast neo-grec gilt and patinated bronze jardinière by Ferdinand Barbedienne. Signed 'F. BARBEDIENNE'. This rare Jardinière or ...
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Marble and Ormolu Urns
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality pair of late 19th century French marble and gilded ormolu urns, each with classical Rans head mounts, supported by three out-swept supports, terminating in hoof feet a...
Marble, 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
$3,500 / set
H 16.5 in W 8 in D 6 in
19th Century French Neoclassical Louis XVI Style Bisque Porcelain Urn Vases Pair
Located in Forney, TX
An exceptional matching pair of exhibition quality bisque porcelain vasi-form urn garnitures, very fine Parisian work, elegant Louis XVI style, finished with luxurious Neoclassical taste, the magnificent, richly decorated ovoid form antique urns / vases adorned in sumptuous finely gilded, chiseled and chased ormolu mounts. Made in France in the late 19th century, having shaped rope twist handles rising above classical female mask mounts decorating the sides, bands of decadent gold-tone gilded bronze floral garland and ribbon draped laurel swags flanked by exuberant scallop-shell running ornamentation, complementing the matte cream white color of the bisque porcelain. The waisted neck and slightly flared rim with simple decoration, the waisted pedestal base ornamented with stylized acanthus leaves in gilt bronze, leading to a cavetto square white marble socle encircled with stepped scrolling foliate festoon ornamental gilt...
Bronze, Ormolu, Brass
$4,398
H 14.57 in W 12.6 in D 9.45 in
Classical 19th Century French Majolica porcelain and ormolu urn.
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century French cobalt and turquoise blue majolica porcelain urn, with wonderful gilded ormolu mouldings and mounts of putti holding garlands of flowers, amon...
Ormolu
French Pair of Petite 19th Century Empire Period Urns
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A pair of French Empire period Old Paris Porcelain vases, circa 1810, with painted landscapes and figural scenes on each side. The Classical amphora profile features a gold-banded mo...
Gold
$1,312Sale Price / set|29% Off
H 5.52 in Dm 6.7 in
19th Century Pair of Louis XVI Paris Porcelain Cachepots
By Porcelaine de Paris
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A delightful and colourful matching pair of pretty porcelain cache pots, perfect for displaying indoor plants. Dating from the 19th century, the pots have been lovingly hand painted ...
Porcelain
Pair of 19th Century French Garden Urn
Located in Sheffield, MA
Pair of lovely classical style French urns. Great as centre piece or console piece. Can be sold individually.
Metal
$15,700
H 5 in W 8 in D 5 in
Ferdinand Barbedienne, A French Ormolu and Champleve Enamel Jardiniere, C. 1870
By Ferdinand Barbedienne, Louis-Constant Sevin
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
Ferdinand Barbedienne, A French Ormolu and Champleve Enamel Jardiniere, C. 1870, The Design Attributed to Louis Constant Sevin. An exceptional qualit...
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
$3,012Sale Price|40% Off
H 11.03 in Dm 3.15 in
19th Century Decorated Bronze Vase Signed by F. Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Sofia, BG
Bronze vase of balustrades forms a relief of a musical and a shepherdess in an entourage of foliage and birds, resting on a pedestal area of a lezard and a surouris standing over red...
Bronze