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.
Zingara Antique French Bronze Figurative Sculpture Dancer Barbedienne
By Jean-Baptiste Clésinger, F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in London, GB
Zingara Antique French Bronze Figurative Sculpture Dancer Barbedienne French, c. 1890 Height 105cm, width 33cm, depth 43cm A captivating bronze sculpture inspired by Jean-Baptiste ...
Bronze
19th Century Bronze Sculpture of a Lady by Moreau
By Hippolyte François Moreau
Located in London, GB
This alluring bronze depicts the full-length figure of a young lady who, swathed in draped clothing, looks downward toward a basket of flowers hung about her waist. The circular base...
Bronze
Classical Style Bronze Sculpture of Penelope by Cavelier and Barbedienne
By Pierre-Jules Cavelier, Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
This large patinated bronze antique sculpture depicts the Classical figure Penelope, the wife of Odysseus (Roman name Ulysses) who appears in ...
Bronze
'La Jeunesse' 19th Century bronze sculpture by Chapu and Barbedienne
By Henri Chapu, Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
This fine and exceptionally cast patinated bronze sculpture is the work of two masters of the decorative arts, Henri Chapu (French, 1833-1891) and Ferdinand Barbedienne (French, 1810-1892). Chapu was responsible for the design of the sculpture which is titled 'La Jeunesse' and depicts a young girl swathed in Classical style clothing reaching up to place a laurel branch on top of a wall. The original work was crafted in white marble as part of a monument to Henri Regnault...
Bronze
Very Large French Patinated Bronze Figural Sculpture Apollo After Picault
By Émile Louis Picault
Located in London, GB
Very Large French Patinated Bronze Figural Sculpture Apollo After Picault French, Late 19th Century Height 167cm, width 66cm, depth 40cm This late 19th century bronze figure is cra...
Bronze
Patinated Bronze and Parcel-Gilt Classical Sculpture by Levêque
Located in London, GB
Patinated bronze and parcel-gilt classical sculpture by Levêque French, Late 19th Century Height 60cm, width 24cm, depth 24cm This elegant neoclassical bronze sculpture is by the Fr...
Bronze
Antique French Bronze of The Wounded Amazon by the Barbedienne Foundry
Located in London, GB
An antique French bronze model of the Wounded Amazon by Barbedienne, mid-nineteenth century, with rich brown patina, stamped to the base.
Bronze
Ferdinand Barbedienne " Diana" Sculpture, 19th Century
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Madrid, ES
"Diane de Gabies" French sculpture, late 19th century. Patinated bronze with "Ferdinand Barbedienne" foundry marks. Height: 51 cm. Very goo...
Bronze
19th Century Bronze sculpture of Diana of Gabii, Grand Tour
Located in Madrid, EX
Diane of Gabii is a sculpture of a woman richly adorned in drapery. The statue most likely represents goddess Artemis, the virgin goddess of hunting and the wild, and is attributed t...
Bronze
Early 20th-Century Patinated Bronze Sculpture of Diana on a Wooden Base.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Early 20th-century patinated bronze sculpture of Diana on a wooden base. Early 20th century bronze sculpture, in the taste of Antiquity, representing Diana, wooden base. H: 61cm, W:...
Bronze
Diana of Gabies, bronze after the Antique, around 1900
Located in Honnelles, WHT
Diana of Gabies, bronze after the Antique, around 1900 founder's mark: mechanical reproduction
Bronze
Antique Barbedienne Classical Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture Of Diana c1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Barbedienne Classical Grand Tour Bronze Sculpture Of Diana, Unsigned, C1890 Measures - 10 5/8" x 3 1/8" x 3 1/8"
Bronze
The elegant ceramics represent the best of French artistry and innovation.
This golden material glamorized neoclassical furnishings and transformed upper-crust sitting rooms from France to Philadelphia in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
