Art Nouveau Furniture

A large and impressive late 19th Century bronze study of the famous Venus de Milo sculpture of antiquity with excellent rich brown patina and good hand finished surface detail, inscribed F.Barbedienne foundry ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Height: 95 cm Width: 28 cm Depth: 28 cm Condition: Excellent Original Condition Circa: 1890 Materials: Bronze Foundry: F.Barbedienne SKU: 7741 ABOUT The Barbedienne Foundry is a famous 19th century bronze foundry, whose statues and art objects became rapidly very renowned. This bronze studio co-worked with other trades, and put his name to a great variety of works, such as furnishing in particular. Attending every World's Fair of its time, the Barbedienne Foundry was regularly awarded, notably at the World's Fair of 1855 where it was awarded the Great Medal of Honor. A Parisian bronze maker and caster, Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892) creates a firm in 1839 in collaboration with Achille Collas, the inventor of the mechanical method to obtain copies of sculptures at a smaller scale. With this groundbreaking proceed, they facilitated an unprecedented production. Under the “Collas et Barbedienne” name, they specialized in Antiquity copies and perfected new chemical methods for the color and patina finish of their bronzes. As a true Romantic, Ferdinand Barbedienne is committed to democratization of arts, he thus realizes numerous Antiquity copies and stimulates his contemporaries’ works broadcasting. A great deal of famous sculptures are hence cast by the Barbedienne Foundry. All his life, Barbedienne co-worked with the greatest artists, sculptors or designers of his time, such as Edouard Lievre, Ferdinand Levillain, Attarge, Aizelin, Barye or Fremiet. Statues aside, he products a great deal of decorative artifacts, such as clocks, vases, mirrors, etc. Since 1855, Ferdinand Barbedienne collaborates with the famous decoration designer Louis-Constant Sévin (1821-1888). Joining the firm as a sculptor-designer, he stays loyal to it his life long, always finding more new designs for daily objects, which hence become true art works. Sevin’s creations, specialized in the “Neo-Greek” style, were particularly appreciated for antiquity reference in decorative arts, just like the great mirror preserved by the Orsay Museum. He also teams up with enamelers including Alfred Serre, and develops a set of “cloisonnés” enamels that made the headlines at the World's Fair of 1862 in London, which was the very beginning of the art of enamel’s return. In collaboration with Serre, Barbedienne realized between 1878 and 1889 the Monumental Clock in Renaissance style, decorated with enamels, which is preserved in the Paris City Hall. Venus de Milo Facts about Venus de Milo sculpture. For much of the world, the mystery of the Venus de Milo lies in her missing arms. But there’s much more to this iconic statue than a couple of absent appendages. 1. Venus de Milo‘s title is a bit misleading. It’s popularly believed that this Grecian statue depicts the Greek Goddess of love and beauty, who was often rendered half-naked. However, the Greeks would have called this deity Aphrodite. Nonetheless, the Roman-inspired Venus de Milo caught on. 2. She’s named in part for where she was discovered. On April 8, 1820, a farmer named Yorgos Kentrotas came across the statue in pieces within the ruins of an ancient city on the island of Milos (formerly known as Melos). 3. Alexandros of Antioch is credited with her creation. A sculptor of the Hellenistic period, Alexandros is believed to have carved this masterpiece between 130 and 100 BCE. The inscription on the plinth—the slab on which the statue rested—that identified him as Venus de Milo‘s creator was lost nearly 200 years ago. 4. She might not be Venus. Some have suggested the sculpture is not Aphrodite/Venus, but Amphitrite, the sea goddess who was particularly adored on Milos. Still others have proposed she’s Victory, or perhaps a prostitute. With her arms long missing, would-be context clues have been lost for centuries. A spear could have meant one thing, a spool of thread another. If she held an apple—as some reports claim—it could mean she was Aphrodite, holding the award given to her by Paris before the Trojan War began. To this day, it’s a matter of passionate debate. 5. She became a gift to the King of France. When Kentrotas called upon a French naval officer to help him unearth the spectacular sculpture, he began a chain of events that would eventually lead to the Marquis de Rivière presenting Venus de Milo to Louis XVIII. In turn, the ruler gave the statue to the Louvre, where it is on display to this very day. 6. The loss of her limbs is the fault of the French. Kentrotas did find fragments of an arm and a hand when he uncovered the statue in the ruins, but as Venus de Milo was being reassembled, those arms were discarded for having a “rougher” appearance. Modern art historians believe that the variation of finish does not mean those arms did not belong to Venus, but both the arms and the original plinth have been lost since the piece moved to Paris in 1820. 7. The original plinth was ditched on purpose. Sight unseen, early 19th century art historians decided the newly discovered Venus must have been the work of Greek artist Praxiteles, and publicized the work as such. This attribution would have placed the piece in the Classical period (5th through 4th centuries BCE), which was more respected artistically than the Hellenistic period. To save face and better promote Venus de Milo—even at the cost of misinforming the public—the plinth was removed before it was presented to the King. 8. Venus de Milo was meant to make up for a national embarrassment. During his conquests, Napoleon Bonaparte had plundered one of the finest examples of Greek sculpture, Venus de’ Medici, from Italy. In 1815, the French government returned that beloved sculpture, but in 1820, France embraced the chance to fill the hole its absence left in the French culture and national pride. As such, Venus de Milo was promoted as being even greater than Venus de’ Medici upon her Louvre debut. The ploy worked, and the piece was met with almost universal praise from artists and critics. 9. Renoir was not impressed. Perhaps the most famous of Venus de Milo‘s detractors, the celebrated Impressionist painter dismissed this delicate depiction of grace and female beauty as “a big gendarme.” 10. She went into hiding during World War II. By the autumn of 1939, war threatened to descend on Paris, so Venus de Milo along with some other priceless pieces, such as Winged Victory of Samothrace and Michelangelo’s Slaves, were whisked away for safekeeping at various châteaux in the French countryside. 11. She’s been robbed! Venus is missing more than just her arms. She was originally draped in jewellery including a bracelet, earrings and a headband. These flourishes are long lost, but the holes for fixing them to the piece remain in the marble, giving clues to the missing accessories. 12. She lost her colour. While it’s easy for today’s art admirers to think of Greek statues as white, the marble was often painted in the style of polychromy. However, no trace of the original paint scheme remains on Venus de Milo today. 13. She’s taller than most people. Even with her slight slouch, Venus de Milo stands at 6 feet 8 inches tall. 14. She could be a copy. Art historians have noted that Venus de Milo bears a striking resemblance to Aphrodite of Capua, which is a Roman era copy of a possibly late 4th century BCE bronze Greek original. That would be at least 170 years before Alexandros carved his goddess, leading some to speculate that both statues are actually replicas of an older statue...

Unique Danish Art Nouveau Royal Copenhagen bowl, circa 1940s. Stunning hand-painted naturalistic depictions of flowers, leaves and stems in dark brown, warm yellow and green colors o...

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Art Nouveau stained glass lantern, France, 1890-1900. This magnificent Art Nouveau stained glass lantern, dating from 1890-1900, combines vib...

A stunning Large French majolica wall platter, late 19th century, with high relief decoration of colored apples dangling from a vine. At the end of the 19th century, Longchamp and F...

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Large beautiful figurative sculpture by Danish artist Jens Jacob Bregnø in jugend style. The sculpture is made of raw sandstone and is signed by the ...

74205 Antique Kurdish Persian Bijar Rug with Art Nouveau Renaissance Style, 12'02 X 18'04. Rich in color with beguiling beauty, this hand knotted wool antique Persian Kurdish Bijar r...

Original Art Nouveau Vintage Poster dating from 1896 by Alphonse Mucha for Job, Cigarette paper. Artist: Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939) Tit...

French Majolica pink parrot tulip Jardiniere Delphin Massier, Circa 1890.

Pair of Rare Venetian Murano Bell Jar Lanterns with Etched Glass and Brass Details, circa 1900 An extraordinary and rare pair of antique Venetian bell jar lanterns, masterfully craf...

Set / 10 crystal cordial glasses from the Lenox Wreath Collection by Tiffin. The handblown stemware feature an elegant engraved wreath motif an...

19th century faux bamboo mirror from France. The frame has been wonderfully hand turned from cherry to look like bamboo. The frame surrounds what appears to be the original mercury...

Vintage limited edition lithographic reproduction poster of "Marguerite Dufay" by 19th Century French artist Louis Anquestin (1861-1932). Published in 1968 by The Sunday Times (Lond...

Fabulous set of 4 leaded and stained glass windows. Excellent craftsmanship and design in the framework of these 4 windows. Red cherrie...

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A beautiful Tiffany style table lamp, French production from the 1930s, Art Nouveau period. The base is in cast brass and base in black marble, the lampshade in colored glass and cry...

A table - pure extravagance. The design for this table comes from Adolf Loos and the execution was carried out by Gebrüder Thonet Vienna, Austria. This design object is pure Art Nou...

French Majolica purple daisy plate Orchies, circa 1890.

Vintage French Art Nouveau Style Hand Forged Scrolling Wrought Iron Side Chair. Item features an ornate back rest, finials, legs, and stretcher supported base. Circa Mid 20th Century...

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Art Nouveau style metal and glass chandelier. Blown opaline glass white shades in perfect condition. Age patina on metal parts Rewired: 5x60W, E25-E27 bulbs. US wiring compatible.

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A handsome beveled mantel mirror with a thick oak frame. The frame is beautifully hand-carved with swirl decorations. Large size, ideal for above a fireplace. Size overall; 90cm wid...

Late 19th century faux bamboo wall bracket shelf. The top is a generously sized semi-circle, supported on a base of hand turned faux bamboo and expertly turned pieces. This is a lo...

A tall pair of late 19th century English stained glass panels, beautifully etched with Art Nouveau style details. Dating to circa 1890, this pair will look stunning as feature windo...

Set of 6 antique luncheon or salad plates features an abstract flower decor in gold and moss green colors. The decor appears to be a variation of the iconic Dammouse pattern that wa...

Large bronze dancer with a brown patina, on a green marble base: she bears the name of Pompeian Dancer on a cartouche. She plays delicately with her veil, balanced on one foot, on a ...

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Rare French Majolica pink rose cache pot jardinière Delphin Massier, circa 1880. The Massier family are known for the quality of their unique enamels and paintings. They produced an...

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Antique 1890s Victoria Austria Vase. Comprising Austrian porcelain vases with hand-painted decorated scenes of cattle watering. Measure: Height 14 inc...

Copper & brass jardiniere center piece with a metal altenance giving a very interesting color scheme. decoration of canes, roses and lions' feet. Made circa 1890, in the art Nouveau ...

Emile Gallé (1846-1904) was one of the greatest French glassmakers and ceramists of the 20th century. The son of a master glassmaker, he came into contact with the art world at an ea...

A beautiful patinated Art Nouveau bronze study of a young Art Nouveau beauty sat upon a wall wearing chains with excellent variegated rich brown patina and excellent hand chased surf...

A breathtaking pair of sterling silver Art Nouveau compotes by Tiffany & Company, embodying the fluid elegance and botanical inspiration characteristic of the late nineteenth century...

19th Century Large Austrian Parrots & Flowers Cache Pot. Height / 12 inches. Diameter / 12 inches.

This small fish pitcher will bring a touch of personality and originality to all tables. Highly decorative.

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Aqua Turquoise Majolica Turtle Clement Massier, circa 1890.

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20 th mid-century chandelier or lustre, French Frozen glass and brass, in the classical style This can be rewired to USA or EU and UK standards. Shipping 29 / 29 / 32 cm 4 kg

Passaic by Unger sterling silver asparagus fork gold washed circa 1900. Good large Serving Fork, partial gold wash. Length: 8.75 inches. Weight: 81 grams. Very minor wear to original...

An original color lithograph titled “Bières De La Meuse” Art Nouveau artist Alphonse Mucha. Printed in 1897, Imp. F. Champenois, Paris. “Republique Francaise” stamp marking top middl...

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A timeless Limoges tableware set of 30 Pieces stamped Triumph, made in the USA Limoges Rosalie 1 T S 350-1 22 carat gold. Each piece is finely made of porcelain and hand painted in 2...

Mid Century Stained Glass Table Lamp, in Galle Art Nouveau Style, the shade worked with landscapes over a gilded spelter reeded column ...

Genuine tall alabaster sculpture by Guglielmo PUGI (1858-1941), Florence, Italy, 1880s. Young girl with tambourine, perhaps a gypsy. On its base. Direct carving. With base - Height...

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A stunning and fully documented Loetz Phaenomen Vase. This example is documented Phaenomen pattern PG 6893 and the colouring is called Rubin (darkest purple -see pictures) - The patt...

Exceptionally rare silver overlay vase by Alvin Mfg Co. of Providence Rhode Island from the late 19th century. This vase is a tour de force of Art Nouveau silver work on glass. The intricate sterling floral base design is overlaid onto the emerald green glass and is finely etched and detailed. Then, above these swirling Art Nouveau florals which wrap around the vase, are vines sprouting three dimensional blown out poppies throughout. Even the vines are treated in three dimensions as they wrap around the central cartouche (conjoined Victorian monogram...

Antique statuette, sculpture of a pheasant, gold-plated bronze, the colored parts are hand-painted, circa 1880, France, not marked. Very high-quality and detailed manufacture, very...

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Charles Korschann Czechoslovakian Art Nouveau Gilt-Bronze Figural Bud Vase. Cast from a model by Charles (Karl) Korschann, circa 1899, of urn form, with a handle in the form of a...

Fully Fitted & PAT Tested Electrics - UK STANDARD PLUG FITTED - WILL NEED WIRING FOR USA OR OTHER INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION. From our Decorative collection, we are delighted to offer this rare original Austrian Cold Painted Bronze Galleon Lamp...