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.
Imposing 19th Century Bronze Mounted Rouge Marble Jardiniere by Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Long Island City, NY
An imposing late 19th century Napoleon III gilt bronze mounted rouge griotte marble jardiniere by Barbedienne Ferdinand Barbedienne The oval waisted neck with gadrooned surround mo...
Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
A Pair of Unique Ferdinand Barbedienne Ormolu and Champleve Enamel Jardinieres
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in New York, NY
A pair of extremely unique ormolu and champlevé enamel jardinieres by Ferdinand Barbedienne. Each jardiniere is of rounded form, mounted on an elaborate ormolu tripod stand. The enam...
Bronze, Enamel
$14,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Ferdinand Barbedienne Pair of Marble & Ormolu Urn Low Tables
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine pair of French Louis XV style Ormolu Mounted Rouge Griotte marble urns by Ferdinand Barbedienne (French, 1810-1892), now converted to low side tables with glass tops. The ovoi...
Marble, Ormolu
A French Ormolu, Bronze and frosted Crystal centerpiece signed Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful and high quality French 19th century Renaissance st. Ormolu, patinated Bronze and frosted Crystal centerpiece, signed Barbedienne. This striking circular centerpiece is r...
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
Lovely Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze and Crystal Centerpiece by Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Lovely Quality Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze and Crystal Centerpiece by Barbedienne Ferdinand Barbedienne The wonderful floral etched crystal vase inserted...
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
$1,850
H 4 in W 6.5 in D 8 in
Wonderful French Doré Bronze Cherub Fluted Oval Crystal Gilt Ormolu Centerpiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful French dore´ bronze bow and swag footed Cherub Plaques centerpiece with fluted oval crystal insert. In the manner of Baccarat. Measures: 8" W x 6.5" W x 4" H.
Crystal, Bronze
$1,750
H 4 in Dm 7.5 in
Wonderful French Ormolu Doré Bronze Cut Crystal Gilt Paw Feet Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Regency Empire doré bronze Ormolu paw footed centerpiece with crystal insert with scalloped accents on four corners. Measures: 7.5" W x 4" H.
Crystal, Bronze
$3,250
H 5.25 in W 18.5 in D 7 in
Wonderful French Baccarat Diamond Cut Crystal Ormolu Bronze Lion Paw Centerpiece
By Baccarat
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Baccarat style diamond cut crystal ormolu bronze lion paw large oval centerpiece Dimensions: H 5.25" x D 18.5".
Crystal, Bronze
$1,250
H 4.13 in Dm 7.75 in
Wonderful Ormolu Cut Crystal and Finely Chased Dore Bronze Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Roslyn, NY
A fine French cut crystal and doré bronze centerpiece bowl.
Crystal, Bronze
$2,400
H 9.65 in Dm 11.82 in
Late 19th Century Napoleon III Empire Gilt Bronze Putti and Marble Centerpiece
Located in Berlin, DE
Late 19th Century French Empire gilt bronze putti and marble centerpiece The centerpiece stands on a triangular, fluted base with arched feet; on th...
Marble, Bronze
$5,373
H 19.69 in W 16.15 in D 13 in
Impressive Doré Ormolu Ornamental Centerpiece or Jardinière of Campana Shape
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Antwerp, BE
An impressive ormolu ornamental vase centerpiece of campana shape, the bronze vessel resting on a moulded concave agate stone pediment with byzantine cross shaped base. The gilt concave foot of the vase shows ram’s heads intertwined with scrolls hung with fruity festoons under a ribboned bundle frieze. The concave stem supports an egg and dart shaped bottom carrying a large frieze representing brown patinated swans grooming themselves between water reeds...
Agate, Ormolu, Bronze
$1,500Sale Price|57% Off
H 7.5 in Dm 10.75 in
Antique French F. Barbedienne Ormolu Bronze and Crystal Centerpiece
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine antique French Empire cut crystal round shaped centerpiece bowl with a wavy edge. Mounted in a footed hand chiseled ormolu mount decora...
Crystal, Ormolu
$4,895Sale Price|48% Off
H 17 in W 22.5 in D 7.5 in
Manner of Christofle 19th-20th Century Silver-Plated & Crystal Fruit Centerpiece
By Christofle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine and rare 19th-20th century neoclassical Revival style silver plated metal and cut-glass centerpiece in the manner of Christofle. The boat-shaped ornately body with finely chas...
Metal
Antique Pair of French Marble Top Stands or Tables
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Refined pair of antique French Louis XV style stands with rouge marble tops having a brass gallery over a three drawer case with brass hardware, c...
Marble, Brass
$3,025Sale 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
$3,600
H 8.5 in Dm 16 in
Signed Osler Epergne Silver Bronze Centerpiece w/ Winged Griffins Crystal Vases
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This is a rare and spectacular example of F. & C. Osler's workmanship. The Osler firm was founded in Birmingham, England, in 1807. Thomas Osler and a partner produced small ornaments, followed by glass prisms and parts for chandeliers. In 1831, Osler's sons, Follett and Clarkson, assumed control of the business, which was eventually reorganized as F. & C. Osler. They moved to new premises in Birmingham, and in 1852 they opened their own glass factory so that they no longer had to rely on others for their glass. A perfect round and low centerpiece this will be the focal point of any table setting. The plateau base is engraved with a star cutting creating a bright eye-catching center. Ready for your favorite flowers in the removeable, easy to clear trumpet vases.
Crystal, Silver, Bronze
$5,895Sale Price|37% Off
H 7.13 in W 19 in D 10.5 in
French 19th-20th Century Louis XV Style Silvered Centrepiece by Christofle & Cie
By Christofle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French 19th-20th century Louis XV style silvered centrepiece by Christofle & Cie. with an ovoid molded cut-glass centre-dish (later) on a pomegranate branch-form foot, the underside stamped: CHRISTOFLE and 1147156, Paris, circa 1900. Charles Christofle...
Bronze
Louis Constant Sévin & F. Barbedienne, a Rare Ormolu and Blue Glass Centerpiece
By Ferdinand Barbedienne, Louis-Constant Sevin
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
Louis Constant Sévin & F. Barbedienne, a rare ormolu and blue glass centerpiece, circa 1880. This fantastic quality centerpiece vase is made with the...
Ormolu
Large “Dionysos” Display Dish by F. Levillain and F. Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Levillain, Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in PARIS, FR
Superb large Greek-style display dish made with two patina bronze signed F. Levillain and F. Barbedienne. Decorated in the middle of a scene depicting an ancient man, a thyrsus in hi...
Bronze
Sold
H 8.5 in W 22.5 in D 12 in
Ormolu Cloisonné Champleve Enamel Onyx Jardiniere Centerpiece, F. Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
Ormolu Cloisonne´ Champleve Enamel Onyx Jardiniere Centerpiece, F. Barbedienne Ferdinand Barbedienne, French, 1810-1892. A large Ne´o-Grec ormolu and cloisonne´ champleve enamel decorated onyx jardinie`re centerpiece. Most possibly designed by Louis-Constant Se´vin and Edouard Lievre / Lie`vre. Applied on both sides with a shield with mirror cypher DH for King Henri II and Diane de Poitiers...
Onyx, Bronze, Enamel
Sold
H 5.91 in Dm 3.15 in
19th Century Neo-Greek Style Ormolu Cups by Ferdinand Levillain and Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Levillain, Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of cylindrical ormolu, or gilt bronze, cups depicting hunting and picking fruits scenes in Classical style. Each neo-Greek cup is decorated with vine le...
Bronze