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Ferdinand Barbedienne Decorative Art

French, 1810-1892

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.

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Creator: Ferdinand Barbedienne
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...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ferdinand Barbedienne Decorative Art

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair Of French Belle Époque Period Bronze & Ormolu Plaques, Signed Barbedienne
Pair Of French Belle Époque Period Bronze & Ormolu Plaques, Signed Barbedienne

Pair Of French Belle Époque Period Bronze & Ormolu Plaques, Signed Barbedienne

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...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Ferdinand Barbedienne Decorative Art

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of French 19th Century Belle Époque Period Mahogany & Ormolu Wall Plaques
Pair of French 19th Century Belle Époque Period Mahogany & Ormolu Wall Plaques

Pair of French 19th Century Belle Époque Period Mahogany & Ormolu Wall Plaques

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French Bronze Relief Plaque, Cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne for Hiolin
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
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1890s Antique Ferdinand Barbedienne Decorative Art

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French Bronze Relief Plaque, Cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne for Hiolin

French Bronze Relief Plaque, Cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne for Hiolin

H 32.82 in W 20.38 in D 2 in

Ferdinand Barbedienne decorative art for sale on 1stDibs.

Ferdinand Barbedienne decorative art are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of ormolu and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Ferdinand Barbedienne decorative art, although gold editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original decorative art by Ferdinand Barbedienne were created in the Louis XVI style in france during the 19th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider decorative art by Francois Nicolas Martinet, Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, and Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres. Prices for Ferdinand Barbedienne decorative art can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $10,800 and can go as high as $15,200, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $13,000.

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