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.
Antique Handcrafted Bronze Table Centerpiece Bowl by F. Levillain & Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Levillain, F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning French bronze tazza with wine & Bacchus theme, by Ferdinand LEVILLAIN (1837-1905). Every time we find an antique of this extraordinary quality and beauty we wonder what p...
Bronze
Bronze cup Barbedienne
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Bronze cup Barbedienne Bronze gilt stripper Barbedienne Foundry Excellent condition with no restorations Origin France Circa 1940 Napoleon III style Founded by former Parisian wallpa...
Bronze
Late 19th Century Bronze Tazza Likely by Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Levillain, F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Later 19th century large French bronze tazza with central medallion & handles. The central medallion sculpted by Ferdinand Levillain (1837-1905) of Menalcas & Mopsus from Vir...
Bronze
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Bronze Tazza by Barbedienne
By F. Barbedienne Foundry, Ferdinand Levillain
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A good 19th century Italian bronze neo-greque footed Tazza with scrolled handles and arge, round centrepiece, in the centre with a round relief medallion with an antique classical sc...
Bronze
French 19th Century Champlevé Barbedienne Compote
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Delightful compote bowl made of slate and gilt bronze, having a beautiful Champlevé enamel design around the piece. Made in France, 19th Century (Barbedienne). Makers mark on the bas...
Bronze, Enamel
$600
H 12.25 in W 6.25 in D 0.5 in
19th Century French Louis XV Champlevé Enamel and Brass Hand Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a vanity, powder room, or dressing table with this elegant antique French hand mirror, crafted circa 1870 in the Louis XV taste. The ornate brass frame is richly embellished...
Multi-gemstone, Marble, Brass
$1,334 / item
H 16.54 in W 14.18 in D 9.45 in
Parrots and Flowers Bowl or Cup in Porcelain and Bronze Finish
Located in Paris, FR
Bowl or cup parrots and flowers made with porcelain. Hand painted porcelain. Details handmade in solid bronze.
Bronze
$1,450
H 4.25 in Dm 7.75 in
Wonderful French Empire Gilt Doré Bronze & Cut Crystal Round Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful French empire gilt doré bronze & cut crystal round centerpiece bowl raised on paw feet
Crystal, Bronze
Ribera Handmade Large Centerpiece Bowl - Stoneware
By OWO Ceramics
Located in Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, AR
Beautiful large centerpiece bowl crafted from stoneware clay. Inspired by the vibrant marine life of the reef and the soft motion of ocean waves, this extra large fruit bowl showcases a distinctive blend of artistry and nature, capturing the tranquil beauty of the sea. Each centerpiece bowl is wheel-thrown and hand-glazed in our studio, featuring a soft, white matte finish that beautifully enhances the organic textures of the clay. The glaze has been specially formulated for this collection, reflecting the dedication and craftsmanship that goes into each piece. Ideal for keeping your weekly fruits out on the counter or as a striking standalone accent, this white centerpiece bowl...
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery, Stoneware
F. Barbedienne Large Bronze Sculpture of Euterpe
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A bronze sculpture of Euterpe attributed to French metalworker Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892). Embellished to the reverse with the official stamp of the Collas et Barbedienne foun...
Bronze
$1,800Sale Price|40% Off
H 7.5 in Dm 10.75 in
Antique French F. Barbedienne Ormolu Bronze and Crystal Centerpiece
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine antique French Empire cut crystal round shaped centerpiece bowl with a wavy edge. Mounted in a footed hand chiseled ormolu mount decora...
Crystal, Ormolu
Swedish Porphyry Tazza, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The turned base and stem with shallow bowl top. Shows signs of expert repair.
XL Footed Resin Bowl Centerpiece in Yellow by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
An elegant XL round bowl that is supported by four half spheres that make a fun, bold and unique piece great for holding fruit, plants and specially everyone's attention. You can hav...
Resin
$436Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.55 in W 11.23 in D 5.91 in
Art Deco Blue Glass Centerpiece Bowl by Rudolf Schrötter, 1970s
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Poland, 1970s This is a thick and heavy blue glass bowl. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but overall it can be considered as in excellent...
Glass
Large Lalique Crystal Bowl Centerpiece
By René Lalique
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautifully hand crafted Lalique centerpiece decorative bowl in a wide open "V" form shape. The bowl is embellished by engraved frosted doves and large scrolls design details. Maker'...
Crystal
$2,208Sale Price|20% Off
H 22.45 in W 8.47 in D 8.27 in
19th Century Bronze Figure of the Berlin Adorante by Barbedienne Foundry
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in 263-0031, JP
A 19th-century patinated bronze figure of the Berlin Adorante, or Praying Boy. The piece is a reduction of the Hellenistic-era original, currently in t...
Bronze
$16,000
H 26.33 in W 23.2 in D 23.2 in
Borghese Gladiator in Bronze, Foundry F. Barbedienne, 2nd Half 19th Century
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in New York, NY
Bronze figure of the Borghese Gladiator after the antique original. Stamped on the base “F. Barbedienne” and marked “Reduction Mécanique A. Collas.” The reduction was made using Achi...
Bronze
Bronze Cup by Barbedienne, Napoleon III Period
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Bronze cup by Barbedienne, Napoleon III period, 19th century. Measures: H: 21 cm, W: 33 cm, D: 20 cm, D: 12 cm.
Bronze