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 French 19th Century Belle Époque Period Mahogany & Ormolu Wall Plaques
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A remarkable pair of French 19th century Louis XVI st. Belle Époque period ormolu and Mahogany decorative wall plaques signed F. Barbedienne. Each plaque is set on an elegant Mahogany backplate with fine scalloped bases and tops. The central ormolu plaques...
Ormolu
Pair Of French Belle Époque Period Bronze & Ormolu Plaques, Signed Barbedienne
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 patinated Bronze and Ormolu plaques, signed F. Barbedienne. Each most decorative w...
Bronze, Ormolu
$365
H 8.5 in W 16 in D 0.75 in
Belle Epoque Hand Held French Fan. Hand Painted Decor And Scenary. Circa 1890
Located in Incline Village, NV
Lovely Belle Epoque period French hand held fan; circa 1890; measuring 8 1/2" high x 16" wide when opened. The fan is hand painted on paper to both sides with 18th century scenes de...
Mother-of-Pearl, Paper
Pair of 19th century Italian Plaster Plaques
Located in Richmond, VA
Pair of Italian plaster plaques of Roman emperors. Round, gilt frames. Late 19th century.
Plaster
Laverne Etched Bronze Wall Plaque "Tower of Babel"
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in North Hollywood, CA
LaVerne etched bronze wall plaque "Tower of Babel" There is a dent on the bottom of left side which is not very noticeable when on the wall.
Bronze, Pewter
Pair Art Nouveau Bronze Relief Wall Plaques
Located in Kastrup, DK
Pair of fine Art Nouveau / Jugendstyl gilt bronze relief wall plaques, with wonderful details, mounted in walnut frames. The reliefs depict Diana, ...
Bronze
Pair Antique Neoclassical Bronze Bas Relief Wall Plaques
Located in New York, NY
Pair of antique (late 19th century) neoclassical patinated bronze bas relief plaques, attributed to Christofle, allegorical of winter and autumn. Winter shown with three cherubs aro...
Bronze
$10,237 / set
H 18.51 in W 4.73 in D 0.99 in
Four Antique Bronze Plaques Depicting Water-Nymphs, by Ferdinand Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Four antique bronze plaques depicting water-nymphs, by Ferdinand Barbedienne French, 19th century. Measures: Height 47cm, width 12cm, depth 2.5cm Finely cast in relief from patinated bronze with parcel gilt patina, these French 19th Century panels each depict a Classical female water-nymph. The relief structure and design is after four panels from the important marble fountain from the Renaissance period in Paris called the Fontaine des Innocents. This was created by the French sculptor Jean Goujon...
Bronze
French Floral & Bird Motif Carved Wall Plaque, 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French carved wood wall plaque, in flowers and bird motif, from the 19th century. This antique wall decoration from France features a rectangular-shaped molded frame, with inner su...
Wood
19th Century Italian Painted Wood Angel Plaques - A Pair
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Italian 19th century painted wood angel plaques. This pair of antique Italian plaques, perhaps originally used to decorate a chapel, feature a ...
Wood, Paint
19th Century French Terracotta Neoclassical Wall Plaque
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A late 19th century French terracotta oval shaped wall plaque detailing a neoclassical scene depicting a maiden in classical dress playing a lyre beside a swan and other instruments ...
Terracotta
$12,500 / set
H 20.25 in W 16.25 in D 1.75 in
Antique French Porcelain Musketeer Plaques, Signed, Circa 1890
By Leon Berthaud 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Leon Berthaud (French, 19th century). Pair of French porcelain plaques of Musketeers, each depicting a standing Musketeer in his 18th century c...
Porcelain, Wood
$10,237 / set
H 1.97 in Dm 31.5 in
Large Pair of Circular, Patinated Bronze Relief Plaques of Night and Day
Located in London, GB
A pair of patinated bronze antique plaques of Night and Day French, Late 19th Century 80cm in diameter, 5cm in depth Modelled after Bertel Thorvaldsen's iconic 'Night and Day' relie...
Bronze
Louis XVI Ormolu Wall Clock, Bronze, Late 18th Century, France
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The circular glazed white enamel dial with Roman and Arabic chapters, set within a pierced case with ribbon-tied fruiting laurel trails, each side with a ram’s mask capped pilaster, ...
Bronze
Sold
H 32.82 in W 20.38 in D 2 in
French Bronze Relief Plaque, Cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne for Hiolin
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A French bronze relief plaque, cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne for Hiolin, after a model by Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi, dated 1893 Rectangular, depicting George Washington and Lafayette, inscribed Hiolin D'Apres/Barthold/Barbedienne Fondeur/1893 Width 20 3/8 in. (51.75 cm.) Height 32 13/16 in. (83.34 cm.) Catalogue note: The subject here is a refief of the life-size monument to Franco-American unity by Barthodi which stands in Paris at Place des Etats-Unis. The sculptor originally solicited the commission from Joseph Pulitzer, whom he met during the Campaign for the Statue of Liberty. The commission was to be for a single figure at 40,000 francs, and Bartholdi overspent the budget by creating two figures. He was able to recoup the cost by selling a second cast to the city of New York, where it was placed in Morningside Park...
Bronze