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 prizes. 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 antique Ferdinand Barbedienne decorative objects, lighting and more.
Large French 19th Century Patinated Bronze Sculpture of Salammbô by Marcel Début
By Marcel Debut
Located in London, GB
A Large Figural Bronze Sculpture of Salammbô By Marcel Début The patinated figure representing the character from Gustave Flaubert's titular novel Salammbô, as evidenced by the cart...
Bronze
French 19th Century Equestrian Bronze Sculpture after Pierre-Jules Mêne
Located in London, GB
An equestrian sculpture after Pierre-Jules Mêne A naturalistic, carefully detailed and beautifully patinated bronze model of a jockey on his galloping horse, the realistic topogr...
Bronze
French 19th Century Bronze Sculpture "The Falconer" by Pierre Jules Mene
By Pierre Jules Mêne
Located in London, GB
"The Arab Falconer" by Pierre Jules Mene The finely cast and planished bronze, depicting a falconer walking on a naturalistic ground, with a hare ...
Bronze
Pair of 19th Century French Figurative Bronzes by Eugène Piat
By Frédéric - Eugène Piat 1
Located in London, GB
An African couple by Frédérick Eugène Piat (1827-1903) Modelled in a now well patinated bronze, the circular bases, inscribed with the artist's name, support tree trunks, against which rest the young warrior holding his spear, and his partner, a draped young woman with a necklace of animal teeth...
Bronze
19th Century French Patinated Plaster Figure and her Dog
Located in London, GB
A Neo-Classical Patinated Plaster Figure Constructed from plaster, painted and patinated to resemble aged bronze, the female figure draped in a toga, standing in contrapposto as she...
Plaster
'Odalisque' by Baron Charles Arthur Bourgeois, a 19th Century Bronze Sculpture
Located in London, GB
'Odalisque' By Baron Charles Arthur Bourgeois (1838-1886) Cast bronze, now well patinated, rising from a circular base, cast with drapery,...
Bronze
Bronze Statue of Arlequin by Charles-René de Paul de Saint-Marceaux
By René de Saint-Marceaux
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Bronze Statuette of Arlequin by Charles-René de Paul de Saint-Marceaux. Cast by Barbedienne. The mischievous Harlequin, arms crossed in contemplation, wearing a grin and a mask, treading the boards of the stage, as befits his leading place in the Commedia dell'arte. Signed by the fondeur, Ferdinand Barbedienne, having the foundry cachet, and dated 1879, and the sculptor's name, St. Marceaux. French, Circa 1880. Paul de Saint-Marceaux (1845-1915) Son of a Reims wine merchant, entered the Ecole des Beaux-Arts de Paris under the tutelage of Jouffroy, exhibiting at the Salon of 1868, studying later in Italy. Considerable success followed, and he was awarded gold medals at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1889, having been elected as a Chevalier to the Legion d'Honneur in 1880, and later becoming an officer. His public Parisian works may be seen in the Champs-Elysees (Alphonse Daudet the noted novelist) and Alexander Dumas...
Bronze
A Large Bronze Sculpture of the Harlequin by Paul Dubois, 19th Century.
By Paul Dubois
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A large bronze sculpture of the Harlequin by Paul Dubois, 19th century, Napoleon III period. Bronze sculpture by Paul Dubois, the Harlequin, 19th century, Napoleon III period, bronz...
Bronze
French 19th Century Patinated Bronze Statue Signed P. Dubois And F. Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional French 19th century patinated bronze statue signed P. Dubois and F. Barbedienne. The statue entitled Le Courage Militaire, is raise...
Bronze
19th Century Bronze Statue of a Courtier by Duboy
By Paul Duboy
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century bronze statue of French courtier, with a feather hat, cloak and horn. Signed; Duboy Paul Duboy (1830-1887).
Bronze
French 19th Century Bronze Figure “Repousseur de la Renaissance” by Ernest Ranco
Located in Newark, England
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING A FINELY DETAILED BELLE ÉPOQUE BRONZE DEPICTING A RENAISSANCE ARMOURER AT WORK From our bronze sculpture collection, we are delighted to offer this French 1...
Bronze
19th Century French Patinated Bronze Sculpture "L'Incroyable" Signed E. Lormier
By Eduard Lormier
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a man's office or a library shelf with this elegant bronze sculpture. Crafted in France circa 1895, this antique sculpture depicts a finely detailed figure of a Napoleonic-...
Marble, Bronze
