Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9

Fine Pair of Neo-Greek Vases by F. Levillain and F. Barbedienne, France, c. 1890

About the Item

Signed F. Levillain sculpteur and F. Barbedienne. Pair of Greek style vases made of two patina bronze. Each, designed in the shape of a amphora resting on four hoof feet and a quadrilobed base, is decorated in low-relief with ancient times scenes of grape harvest and picking hops. Overleaf vases, profiles of gods Ariadne and Bacchus are ornated with grape vines and cornucopias. The handles are supported by two bearded heads of gods. Here is the model titled Amphore vendangeurs, modèle n°1 (68 cm), edited by Barbedienne after 1891. We find it in the catalogs until 1911. The figure of Bacchus is a subject dear to Ferdinand Levillain, which he exhibited bronze medallions in his first exposition as well as Universal Exhibitions in which he participated. Ferdinand Levillain (Paris, 1837-1905) studied under the sculptor Jouffroy (1806-1882), before making his debut in 1861 at the French Artists Salon where he continued to exhibit until 1903. At the 1867 Universal Exhibition in Paris, he was praised for a Neo-Greek style bronze cup he made for the firm Blot and Drouard. He was not to become really famous, however, until 1871 thanks to his association with the great bronze founder Ferdinand Barbedienne, who began to exhibit Neo-Greek style lamps, cups, vases and candelabras on his stands. Levillain was overwhelmingly triumphant at the 1878 Universal Exhibition in Paris, where he was unanimously awarded the gold medal for his creations in the Classical style. The famous bronze caster Servant (1828-c.1890) declared in the report of the jury for Artistic Bronzes that the work of Levillain « chased like the finest jewels » and « so diverse and pure of form (…) are of the highest degree of perfection ». After receiving a first class medal at the 1884 Salon for a cup entitled « The Elements, the Months and the Seasons », Ferdinand Levillain went on to win a silver medal at the 1889 Universal Exhibition in Paris. Born in 1810, Ferdinand Barbedienne started one of the most famous 19th century artistic bronze casting companies. He died in 1892. In addition to his personal production, he worked for famous artists such as Clésinger, Carrière-Belleuse and Guillemin. Barbedienne’s production was always highly esteemed and he was, himself admired by contemporary art critics who compared him during the 1878 Universal Exhibition to a “prince of industry and the king of bronze-casting”. In the catalogue of the Exhibition, Barbedienne was considered as the leader among 19th century bronze casters, because of the exquisit quality of his bronzes.
More From This SellerView All
  • Large Neo-Greek Vase by F. Levillain & F. Barbedienne, France, circa 1890
    By Ferdinand Levillain, Ferdinand Barbedienne
    Located in PARIS, FR
    Important neo-Greek vase in the shape of an Amphora, made in two patina bronze. The body is decorated with a rich continuous frieze in bas-relief presenting a procession of characters carrying their offerings to the temple, underlined by a decoration of theatrical masks among olive trees. The 's'-scroll handles decorated with grape vines, resting only on the shoulder of the vase, are supported by a ram’s head. Numerous palmettes and friezes adorn the whole. Resting on a molded marble circular base. Biography Ferdinand Levillain (Paris, 1837-1905) studied under the sculptor Jouffroy (1806-1882), before making his debut in 1861 at the French Artists Salon where he continued to exhibit until 1903. At the 1867 Universal Exhibition in Paris, he was praised for a Neo-Greek style bronze cup he made for the firm Blot and Drouard. He was not to become really famous, however, until 1871 thanks to his association with the great bronze founder Ferdinand Barbedienne, who began to exhibit Neo-Greek style lamps...
    Category

    Antique 1890s French Greek Revival Vases

    Materials

    Marble, Bronze

  • Important Pair of Neo-Greek Vases by Levillain and Barbedienne, France, C. 1878
    By Ferdinand Levillain, Ferdinand Barbedienne
    Located in PARIS, FR
    The model of these Etruscan Amphoras has been exposed at the 1878 Paris Universal Exhibition. Each with a waisted neck raised with bearded satyr ma...
    Category

    Antique 1870s French Greek Revival Vases

    Materials

    Marble, Bronze

  • Pair of Neo-Greek Amphora Vases by Barbedienne and Levillain, France, circa 1880
    By Ferdinand Levillain, Ferdinand Barbedienne
    Located in PARIS, FR
    Pair of Greek style vases made two patina bronze. Each, designed in the shape of a tripod amphora adorned with Hercules heads, is decorated in low-relief...
    Category

    Antique 1880s French Greek Revival Vases

    Materials

    Griotte Marble, Bronze

  • Pair of Neo-Greek Vase-Candlesticks Attr. to Barbedienne and Levillain, c. 1880
    By Ferdinand Barbedienne, Ferdinand Levillain
    Located in PARIS, FR
    Pair of Greek style amphora shaped candlesticks made of gilded and patinated bronze attributed to F. Levillain and F. Barbedienne. Each flanked with two handles, and decorated with horsemen in relief. Standing on three lion’s feet headed with busts of putti and raised on a red griotte marble base. Ferdinand Levillain (Paris, 1837-1905) studied under the sculptor Jouffroy (1806-1882), before making his debut in 1861 at the French Artists Salon where he continued to exhibit until 1903. At the 1867 Universal Exhibition in Paris, he was praised for a Neo-Greek style bronze cup he made for the firm Blot and Drouard. He was not to become really famous, however, until 1871 thanks to his association with the great bronze founder Ferdinand Barbedienne, who began to exhibit Neo-Greek style lamps...
    Category

    Antique 1880s French Greek Revival Table Lamps

    Materials

    Bronze

  • Pair of Neo-Greek Andirons by F. Barbedienne, France, Circa 1870
    By Ferdinand Barbedienne
    Located in PARIS, FR
    Measures: Height : 47 cm (18,5 in.) ; Width : 70 up to 96 cm (27,5 – 37,8 in.) ; Depth : 6 cm (2,3 in.) A rare pair of square shaped andirons, made in gilded bronze and polychrome...
    Category

    Antique 1870s French Greek Revival Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots

    Materials

    Bronze, Enamel

  • Pair of Neo-Greek Bronze Floor Lamps by F. Barbedienne, France, circa 1860
    By Ferdinand Barbedienne
    Located in PARIS, FR
    Height without/with lampshade : 168/185 cm (66,1 / 72,8 in.) ; Base : 43 x 43 cm (16,9 x 16,9 in.) Beautiful pair of neo-Greek floor lamps in bronze with double patina, composed of cylindrical lamps, decorated on the body with a rotating frieze representing women dressed in the Antique style weaving and spinning, surmounted by lampshades with cut sides in red pleated silk with golden braid. They are placed on pedestals from which hang thin chains attached to the slender shaft decorated with stylized leaves and flowers, resting on a tripod base decorated with large palmettes and ending in lion’s paws. The stylistic repertoire used here, composed in particular of palmettes, masks, and nymphs, evokes Greek Antiquity, as does the reuse of forms of furniture and objects such as tripods and antique vases. The rediscovery in the 18th century of the archaeological remains of Pompeii and Herculaneum allowed artists of all disciplines to draw inspiration from Antiquity while reinterpreting it. This trend did not fade and, in the 19th century, many personalities fitted out their interiors with neo-Greek furniture, as was the case for the Maison Pompéienne built in 1856 by the architect Alfred Normand (1822-1909) for Prince Napoleon, or Empress Eugénie who bought from the Maison Barbedienne pedestals inspired by antique tripods. Related work : Pedestal model presented by Maison Barbedienne at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1855. On this occasion, Empress Eugénie bought it for her bathroom in the Château de Saint-Cloud. This model pleased the Empress so much that she ordered two other pairs in 1858 for her boudoir in the palaces of Compiègne and Fontainebleau. (see photo attached) Photo showing a floor lamp similar to ours in Empress Eugénie’s bedroom in the Château de Compiègne (Oise), in Architecture intérieure et Décoration en France des...
    Category

    Antique 1860s French Greek Revival Floor Lamps

    Materials

    Bronze

You May Also Like
  • 19th Century French Neoclassical Style Bronze Vase by Levillain and Barbedienne
    By Ferdinand Barbedienne, Ferdinand Levillain
    Located in London, GB
    This elegant vase is cast entirely in bronze and it is signed by its makers, the sculptor Ferdinand Levillain (French, 1837-1905) and the master bronzier Ferdinand Barbedienne (Frenc...
    Category

    Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Vases

    Materials

    Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

  • Neo-Grec Bronze and Patinated Bronze Tazza by F. Levillain, Cast by Barbedienne
    By Ferdinand Levillain
    Located in Knivsta, SE
    A beautiful Neo-Grec Tazza in bronze and patinated bronze, signed by the artist Ferdinand Levillain ( 1837-1905) and cast by the famous Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892). France 1...
    Category

    Antique 1860s French Centerpieces

    Materials

    Bronze

  • Fine Pair of Parcel-Gilt and Patinated Bronze Neo-Grec Bronze Barbedienne Vases
    By Ferdinand Barbedienne
    Located in New York, NY
    Fine pair of parcel-gilt and patinated bronze neo-grec bronze vases and rouge griotte marble. Designed by Ferdinand Levillain, cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne. Signed 'F. LEVILLAIN' , ...
    Category

    Antique 19th Century French Vases

    Materials

    Bronze

  • Bronze Amphorae, Levillain & Barbedienne, France, Late 19th Century
    By Ferdinand Barbedienne
    Located in Greding, DE
    Pair of fire-gilt bronze amphorae by Ferdinand Levillain (1837-1905) and Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892) on trefoil red marble bases. The vases stand on lion paw feet with Hercules atlases and antique scenes...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Revival Urns

    Materials

    Marble, Bronze

  • Pair of ‘Neo-Grec’ Style Multipatinated Bronze Amphora Vases
    By Ferdinand Levillain, Ferdinand Barbedienne
    Located in Brighton, West Sussex
    A Large And Rare Pair of ‘Neo-Grec’ Style Multipatinated Bronze Amphora Vases by Ferdinand Levillain and Ferdinand Barbedienne. Signed to the cast ‘F. Levillain Fecit 1880’ and ‘F. Barbedienne’. This large pair of multipatinated vases are of amphora form modelled in the ‘Neo-Grec’ style with trumpet shaped necks and scrolling handles terminating in masks; the vases are raised on circular spreading bases put down on plinths. Each vase is finely ornamented with laurel leaves and garlands to the neck, the main body with a superb banded frieze cast in low relief depicting the Centauromachy. In the Centauromachy, the Lapiths battle with the Centaurs at the wedding feast of Pirithous. An enduring classical theme linked with the idea of culture versus nature, the Centauromachy was widely depicted in ancient Greece from the Southern Metopes of the Parthenon Freieze to the Temple of Apollo Epikourious at Bassai, it also appears as a subject on numerous Attic vases such as the Ilioupersis krater. A popular theme for artists from the Renaissance onwards it was depicted by amongst others, Michelangelo, Piero di Cosimo, Luca Signorelli, Sebastiano Ricci...
    Category

    Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Vases

    Materials

    Marble, Bronze

  • XIX Century Neo-Classic Bronze Vase by Barbedienne
    By Ferdinand Barbedienne
    Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
    XIX century Neo-Classic bronze vase by Ferdinand Barbedienne Red marble base Signed France Circa 1850 -1870.
    Category

    Antique 1850s European Vases

    Materials

    Marble, Bronze

Recently Viewed

View All