Best known for his work at the leading bronze foundry Maison Barbedienne in 1855, award-winning French ornamentalist Louis-Constant Sévin created awe-inspiring decorative objects worthy of the most prestigious houses of European royalty.
Born into a creative family in 1821, Sévin studied design and sculpture under Parisian artist Antoine-André Marneuf at the age of 13. In 1839, Sévin left to collaborate with sculptors Phénix and Joyau and design for famous silversmiths François-Désiré Froment-Meurice and Henri Duponchel. He then moved to London in order to evade the 1848 revolution, where he worked with goldsmith Léonard Morel-Ladeuil to design pieces that were showcased at the Great Exhibition of 1851.
Sévin returned to France that year to design models for Jouhanneaud and Dubois — a porcelain factory in the celebrated Limoges region of France — before commencing what became his decades-long position as an ornamental sculptor with Ferdinand Barbedienne.
For 23 years, Sévin created lamps, mirrors, boxes and more at Maison Barbedienne, which was one of the most revered foundries in 19th-century France, where its proprietor used electroplating to create ormolu. Working alongside chaser Désiré Attarge, Sévin designed Napoleon III-era works that greatly appealed to European nobility, and both kings of Belgium and Holland, Her Majesty the Queen of England, Madame de Païva and the Kremlin all awarded him commissions — this included his work for the final resting place of Prince Albert at Frogmore House in Windsor.
Sévin gravitated toward ancient Greek motifs and his work often mimicked the ornate detailing associated with design in China and the Middle East. An extraordinary cabinet that features Moorish-style arches is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, while his decorative clock designs, such as the neo-Renaissance-style model that earned Barbedienne the Grand Prix in 1878, are especially demonstrative of Sévin’s talent for creating objects with rich cultural significance.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of antique Louis-Constant Sévin lighting and decorative objects.
An Exceptional Pair of Champleve Enamel Ormolu Candelabra by Sevin & Barbedienne
By Louis-Constant Sevin, Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
Illuminating Heritage: An Important "Exhibition" Pair of Ferdinand Barbedienne and Louis Constant Sevin Champleve Enamel and Ormolu Eight-Light Candelabra / Lamps In the realm of de...
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
An Exceptional Suite of Champleve Enamel Ormolu Candelabra by Sevin, Barbedienne
By Louis-Constant Sevin, Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
Illuminating Heritage: An Important "Exhibition" Suite of Four Ferdinand Barbedienne and Louis-Constant Sevin Champlevé Enamel and Ormolu Eight-Light Candelabra/Lamps This monumenta...
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Antique Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock by Sevin and Barbedienne
By Louis-Constant Sevin, Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
This ormolu clock is an exemplary work by the famous French 19th century metalworker and foundry-owner, Ferdiand Barbedienne. Working with a design made by the acclaimed onamentalist, Louis-Constant...
Ormolu, Bronze
$2,295 / set
H 12.25 in W 6.5 in D 4.75 in
Exceptional Pair Of French Ormolu & Marble Candelabras Circa 1890
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Pair of late 19th-century French candelabras featuring fluted and tapering off white marble and gilt bronze (ormolu) mounts, designed in the Louis XVI or Neoclassical style. Crafted ...
Marble, Bronze
$15,000 / set
H 25 in Dm 8.5 in
Pair of Late 19th Century Napoleon III Candelabra by Levillian and Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Levillain, Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Very Fine Pair of Late 19th Century Napoleon III Rouge Griotte Marble and Patinated Bronze Four Light Candelabra By Levillian and Barbedienne Signed F. Levillian and F. Barbedienn...
Marble, Bronze
$310,094 / set
H 56.5 in W 20 in D 20 in
Exceptional Pair of French Ormolu-Mounted Marble Candelabra by Sormani of Paris
By Paul Sormani
Located in London, GB
A Remarkable Pair of Ormolu-Mounted Marble Candelabra by Sormani of Paris After the originals by Jean-François Lorta (1752-1837) Residing at the Louvre Constructed from the unusual...
Marble, Porphyry, Ormolu
$14,800 / set
H 9.5 in Dm 5.75 in
Pair of F. Barbedienne Ormolu and Champlevé Enamel Vases w/ Griffin Heads, Paris
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of 19th Century, Napoleon III, French F. Barbedienne Signed Ormolu and Champleve Enamel Tri-Footed Vases, with Mythical Beast/Dragon Heads Each vase is formed with a flared t...
Bronze, Enamel
19th Century F. Barbedienne Bronze Champlevé Enamel Candlesticks
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Stockholm, SE
A fine pair of champlevé enamel candlesticks in a chinoiserie style by Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810 - 1892), made in Paris ca.1880. Signed "F. Barbedienne" They are an example of the ...
Bronze, Enamel
$4,250
H 3.75 in W 6.75 in D 4 in
A 19th C. French Ormolu Champlevé Enamel Footed Centerpiece, Att. Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in New York, NY
An Incredible 19th Century French Ormolu Champlevé Enamel Footed Centerpiece, Att. Barbedienne. This captivating piece stands as a testament to the impeccable craftsmanship of its e...
Ormolu
Superb Pair of Barbedienne Candelabra
Located in Atlanta, GA
A superb pair of French Barbedienne 8 arm gilt bronze candelabra. Marked on the base F, Barbedienne. Late 19th century. Measures: Overall height 27" x 14 1/2" diameter.
Bronze
$12,950Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 28.25 in Dm 10.25 in
Pair of 19th Century Rococo Ormolu & Griotte Marble Candelabra, Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine pair of French 19th century Rococo Revival style gilt bronze and Rouge Griotte marble six-light candelabra attributed to Ferdinand Barbedienne (French, 1810-1892) After a mode...
Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
F. Barbedienne French Ormolu and Champlevé Enamel Jardinière
Located in New York, NY
A high quality and richly detailed French 19th century ormolu and champlevé enamel jardinière, signed by the renowned bronzier F. Barbedienne and attributed to the celebrated designe...
Enamel, Ormolu
$13,750 / set
H 27.5 in W 11 in D 11 in
A Pair of 19th Century French ormolu Candelabras attr. to F. Barbedienne
Located in Tarzana, CA
This finely cast and finished pair of French Ormolu candelabras are clearly a work of a master bronzier. Each candelabra consisting of an urn ...
Bronze
Louis-Constant SÉVIN, Ferdinand BARBEDIENNE, Pair of Ornamental Vases
By Ferdinand Barbedienne, Louis-Constant Sevin
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This exceptional pair of vases is the result of the collaboration between Louis Constant Sevin, drawer and designer, and Ferdinand Barbedienne, bronze maker and founder of the famous...
Bronze, Enamel