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.
Ferdinand Barbedienne, Gilt Bronze Inkwell, 19th Century
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Madrid, ES
Title: Bronze Inkwell Date/Period: XIX century Dimension: 18 x 19 cm. Materials: Bronze, glass Additional information: Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892). Gilt bronze inkwell...
Bronze
$11,545
H 28.75 in W 38 in D 21.07 in
Fine 19th Century Gillows Parquetry and Gilt Bronze Kidney Shaped Table
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Benington, Herts
An extremely fine gilt bronze mounted parquetry kidney shaped writing table attributed to Gillows of Lancaster. English Circa 1865 The rosewood lozenge trellis inlaid kidney shape...
Bronze
$450,000
H 62.5 in W 82 in D 41 in
French 19th-Century Louis XV Style Figural Gilt-Bronze Mounted Bureau-Plat Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Palatial French 19th-Century Louis XV style figural gilt bronze mounted tulipwood marquetry three-drawer bureau-plat cartonnier with Dual clock-works by Lenoir, Paris, surmounted wit...
Ormolu
19th Century Spanish Vargueno Desk, Hand-Carved Walnut
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 19th century Spanish vargueno, (also spelled bargueño) or traditional portable writing desk and cabinet, made of hand-planed solid walnut. The drop front opens to an interio...
Wrought Iron
French 19th Century Secretary
Located in New Orleans, LA
This secretary desk opens up and offers a beautiful writing space, along with areas to store your writing material. The secretary has bronze mounts, a marble top and Venis Martin...
Bronze
$22,500
H 47 in W 31 in D 17 in
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Gilt Bronze Malachite Desk/Dressing Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Late 19th century French Louis XV rare malachite gilt bronze dressing table that converts into a desk.
Malachite
$1,230
H 6.5 in W 17 in D 10 in
19th C. English Victorian Brass-Inlaid Burlwood Writing Desk with Inkwells
By James Allen
Located in Morristown, NJ
A finely constructed 19th-century English portable writing slope, crafted in richly figured burlwood with a contrasting mahogany crossbanded edge and a central brass escutcheon. The ...
Brass
19th Century Painted Desk
Located in New Orleans, LA
Small highly decorative painted desk.
Wood
19th Century English Walnut Desk
Located in Savannah, GA
This is a walnut desk made in England, circa 1840. The top has a nicely shaped green leather writing surface with gold tooling. There is a hand carved gadrooned edge around the entir...
Walnut
$3,680Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.75 in W 40.13 in D 23.63 in
19th Century French Louis XV Style Floral Marquetry and Gilt Bronze Writing Desk
Located in Miami, FL
19th Century French Louis XV Style Floral Marquetry and Gilt Bronze Writing Desk A very fine and well-proportioned 19th century French Louis XV style ladies desk...
Bronze
$55,000
H 48 in W 55 in D 26 in
Exquisite 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Inlaid Marquetry Bureau a Cylindre
Located in Long Island City, NY
An Exquisite Late 19th Century Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Inlaid Marquetry and Parquetry Bureau a Cylindre The stepped rectangular top with pierced three quarter gallery ab...
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Bureau de Dame
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality French Louis XV style Kingwood, ormolu mounted bureau de dame with parquetry inlaid to the whole, various drawers to the top and fri...
Ormolu
$5,444
H 31.11 in W 54.34 in D 30.32 in
Large Louis XV style flat desk, marquetry and gilt bronze, 19th century work
Located in NICE, FR
Large Louis XV-style 19th-century flat desk in solid beech veneer with inlay, opening with three drawers including a central drawer in the waistband with floral bronze fittings and r...
Bronze