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.
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
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
$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
19th Century Gilt Bronze & Malachite Guéridon Table
Located in London, by appointment only
Important 19th Century Rococo Gilt Bronze & Malachite Guéridon. This magnificent table is designed and made in the most superb sculptural of rococo form, this finely cast polished & ...
Malachite, Bronze
$2,625Sale Price|30% Off
H 30.5 in Dm 25.5 in
Louis XVI Style Mahogany and Marble Top Bouillotte Table, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
Louis XVI Style Mahogany and Marble Top Bouillotte Table, 19th Century. The circular white variegated marble top within a full pierced brass gallery, above a frieze fitted with two ...
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
Nice Quality Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze-Mounted Side Table
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Nice Quality Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Louis XV Style Side Table An oval wood top over a single long, center drawer, raised on cabriole legs. Details: Height – 27 in...
Bronze
19th Century Italian Giltwood and Marble Top Occasional Table
Located in London, GB
A good centre table in the Italian impero manner Constructed in carved gold leaf giltwood, and having a St Jean brecciated marble top; of circular form, the tripartite base of canin...
Marble
Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze-Mounted Marble-Top Lamp Table
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Late 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Marble Top Lamp Table The shaped circular Breche Violette marble insert top, above a bronze mounted frieze, on tapering bronz...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Fine French Gilt Bronze and Marble-Top Guéridon Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful 19th century fine marble-top and gilt bronze guéridon with pawed feet and a gilt bronze and mahogany gilt bronze wrapped legs
Mahogany
$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
French 19th Century Louis XVI Guéridon Table
Located in New York, NY
A French gilt bronze guéridon side table Applied ormolu bronze wreath with medusa bordering along the oval-shaped frame with inset hardstone top above a set of four intricately chise...
Bronze
19th Century Italian Specimen Marble Side Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nicely carved. Strong and sturdy. In great condition.
Marble