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.
Antique French Neo-Grec Marble and Gilt Bronze Centre Table by Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Antique French Neo-Grec marble and gilt bronze centre table by Barbedienne French, Late 19th Century Height 83cm, width 126cm, depth 72cm This superb 19th-century centre table is ...
Marble, Ormolu
$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
Two 19th Century Gilt Bronze and Marble Round Tables by Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
These beautiful and unusual round tables (or guéridons) were crafted by the leading bronze manufacturer of the French Belle Époque, the Barbedienne...
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
A French round marble top, ebonized and gilt table, C. 1940.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This elegant, ebonized table, with its gently curving legs and gilt details will be a wonderful addition to more formal interiors. The marble top is encircled by a bronze banded edge...
Marble, Bronze
$14,875 / set
H 18 in Dm 15 in
Pair of French Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Gilt Iron and Marble Side Tables
By Gilbert Poillerat
Located in New York, NY
French Modern Neoclassical gueridons, side tables, end tables or nightstands in the style of Gilbert Poillerat. The pieces are composed of hand forged wrought iron, with elegant gilt...
Marble, Iron, Gold Leaf
French Gilt Bronze and Marble Gueridon Table
Located in Water Mill, NY
Antique French gilt bronze and marble Gueridon center/side table with eagle heads and feet H 29 x D 29". Gilding in very good condition.
Marble, Bronze
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
19th Century French Marble Centre Table
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
19th Century French marble centre table. With an ornately carved central column with vertical fluting and decorative ring mouldings. The base is a tri-footed design, also in marble....
Marble
French 19th Century Gilt And Patinated Bronze Side Table
By Paul Sormani
Located in Norwood, NJ
Finest quality 19th century French Louis XVI style gilt and patinated bronze side table/gueridon with breccia violetta marble top. Oval form table with four tapered column supports c...
Breccia Marble, Bronze
$55,000
H 29 in W 23 in D 16.5 in
Excellent Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Gueridon by Henry Dasson
By Henry Dasson
Located in Long Island City, NY
An Excellent Quality Late 19th Century Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Gueridon By Henry Dasson Henry Dasson The rectangular top with pierced three-quarter gallery, above a single frieze drawer, the sides each mounted with Minerva’s helmet, supported on floral vine bronze mounted tapering legs each headed by flower swags. Signed Henry Dasson 1881 to the bronze mount on the left side. After the very famous 18th century model by Jean-Henry Riesener. This table is an almost identical copy of Jean-Henri Riesener’s original supplied in 1780 for Marie-Antoinette’s cabinet intérieur at Versailles. In the 19th century’s leading ébénistes often reproduced this model, including François Linke...
Bronze, Ormolu
Low Side Table with Marble
Located in Milan, IT
This elegant and versatile side table will be a precious addition to both a modern and a classic home, thanks to its timeless allure and the unique combination of traditional materia...
Marble, Brass
Very Fine Pair Marble Top Gilt Bronze Gueridons after Adam Weiswiler
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fine neoclassical style circular bronze stands with black marble tops. Raised on three double faux bamboo from bronze legs mounted on an incurved tripod base in figured wood. With th...
Bronze
Pair of French Louis XV Marble End Tables
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French Louis XV-style (Circa 1940) side / end tables with gilt detail, marble tops, and extendable side shelves (1 with drawers & 1 with an open shelf) (PRICED AS Pair)
Marble
Pair of Marble top Drum Tables
Located in Ferndale, MI
Pair of late 20th century marble top drum tables . Marble top rests on chrome finials allowing stone to float over the drum base . Nice condition . Minor touched up chips or scuffs t...
Marble
$14,262 / set
H 27.56 in Dm 21.66 in
A Rare Pair of early 19th Century Neoclassical Guéridons or Side Tables
Located in Rome, IT
Each with a circular top in finely polished black porphyry, raised on an elegant gilt bronze base. The frieze is adorned with a finely chiseled wave-patterned border. The supports ar...
Bronze