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19th Century F. Barbedienne Louis XV Bronze Ormolu Large Mantel Clock, France

$48,000List Price

About the Item

F. Barbedienne Foundry created both the case, and the movement of this spectacular, gilt bronze mantel clock. The case was expertly crafted by the celebrated French bronzeur sculpteur Ferdinand Barbedienne in the mid to late 19th century. The movement was created in house as well which is exceptional. Designed in the extravagant Louis XV style, the timepiece is a tour-de-force of the Rococo style. Sweeping scrolls and acanthus abound about the clock, crowned by a majestic putti. The quality and condition, both mechanically and aesthetically, of this clock make it an incredible acquisition for collectors. The importance and rarity of the piece is enhanced dramatically by the fact that the outer case & the (inner) workings bare the mark Barbedienne. He was one of the most sought after founders of mid / late 19th century, France and carried contracts with some of Paris’ greatest sculptors. Today, pieces hailing from this foundry are extremely sought after by collectors. Face signed "Barbedienne a Paris". The movement is signed / marked "F. Barbedienne a Paris" as well" circa 1860 that fact makes this piece exceptionally rare. The clock was repaired / cleaned in 2009 by our French clockmaker (we have the papers), and again in 2013 when I brought it over from Paris. It keeps accurate time. Monsieur Ferdinand Barbedienne was made knight (French Cavalier) de la Legion d'Honneur during the second republic & Commander de la Legion d'Honneur during the 3rd Republic (Napoleon III). After shipping : As with all antique clocks , even well packed ones , the clock may need to be professionally adjusted to keep the correct time after being shaken about during its journey. (It's just a possibility, but we prefer to let you know).

Creator:
F. Barbedienne Foundry (Clockmaker)
Dimensions:
Height: 24.5 in (62.23 cm)Width: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)Depth: 13 in (33.02 cm)
Style:
Louis XV (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Bronze,Gilt
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
1860-1869
Date of Manufacture:
1860
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. The only "flaw" visible is on the Face of the number dial . The letter A in Barbedienne , and the letter S in Paris are faded or partial . It was acquired that way and my local US clockmaker asked if we wanted it touched up. We declined.
Seller Location:
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU4639214372822

Shop All F. Barbedienne Foundry

F. Barbedienne Foundry

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 awards. 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 Barbedienne decorative objects, lighting and collectibles.

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