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.
Antique Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze, Rouge Marble and Jewelled Clock Set
By Festeau Le Jeune
Located in London, GB
This majestic three-piece clock set is truly a sight to behold, and features beautifully contrasting rouge marble, gilt bronze and glittering jewels. The set comprises a central cloc...
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Antique Louis XV Style Ormolu and Patinated Bronze Clock Set by Denière et FIls
By Maison Deniere
Located in London, GB
Antique Rococo Louis XV style ormolu and patinated bronze clock set by Denière et Fils French, c. 1870 Clock: Height 59cm, width 52cm, depth 23cm Candelabra: Height 71cm, width 33...
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
French Red Marble and Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Style Matched Clock Set
By Lemerle Charpentier 1
Located in London, GB
French red marble and gilt bronze Neoclassical style matched clock set French, late 19th Century Clock: Height 70cm, width 57cm, depth 23cm Candel...
Griotte Marble, Ormolu
Louis XVI Style Ormolu Three-Piece Clock Set by Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Comprising a central clock and a pair of flanking candelabra, the ormolu clock with circular dial and roman numbers signed 'F. Barbedienne', decorated with foliate scrolls and shells, surmounted by a putto, the pair of flanking three light candelabra similarly decorated on scrolling feet. The elegance of this beautiful antique ormolu clock...
Bronze
Large Louis XV Style Rococo Ormolu Three-Piece Clock Set by Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Large Louis XV style Rococo ormolu three-piece clock set by Barbedienne French, late 19th century Clock: height 58cm, width 51cm, depth 19cm Candelabra: height 75cm, width 35cm, d...
Enamel, Ormolu
Sèvres Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Porcelain Clock Set
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in London, GB
This magnificent five-piece clock set is designed in the style of 18th century porcelain produced by the famous Sèvres Manufactory in France. The set is comprised of a mantel clock, a pair of flanking vases—which double-up as candelabra—and two candlesticks. The five items are crafted from ‘bleu Sèvres’ (navy) colored porcelain, which has been finely parcel gilt, jewelled and painted, and mounted in gilt bronze (ormolu). The mantel clock is composed of a circular porcelain dial, with a central painting of cherubs in flight, encircled by black Roman Numerals within white medallions. This is set within a gilt bronze bezel, crowned by a porcelain lidded urn, fitted with gilt bronze satyr head handles, draped with flower swags, and topped by a gilt bronze grape cluster finial. The clock case is supported on four porcelain columns, which are surmounted by a gilt bronze pinecone-tipped staff, draped with tasselled fabrics. A gilt bronze sculpture of a dancing Maenad (also called a Bacchante)—a female follower of the classical god of wine and ecstasy, Dionysus (or Bacchus). The woman plays the tambourine and is accompanied by a putto. The clock is placed on a shaped gilt bronze base, with two projecting scrolled wings, decorated with gilt bronze acanthus leaves and porcelain patera. The base is mounted with porcelain paintings of classical trophies, and putti within a gilt bronze cartouche frame. It is set on two gilt bronze feet, which are decorated with pointed porcelain covers and gilt bronze rosettes. Depending on personal preference, the vases that accompany the clock can be left as they are or made to serve as candelabra. When vases, they are topped by porcelain domed lids, with gilt bronze grape finials. To turn the items into candelabra, these lids are replaced by gilt bronze covers. Each cover is fitted with six gilt bronze branches—five of which are scrolling and decorated with acanthus leaves, and one extends upwards in a straight line. These terminate in wide drip-pans and urn-shaped capitals. The porcelain vase bodies feature fine paintings of couples courting in garden settings, and they are fitted with gilt bronze cherub head...
Ormolu, Bronze
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Rouge Griotte Marble and Ormolu Clock Set
By Raingo Frères
Located in New York, NY
A Magnificent Large Antique French 19th Century Ormolu and Rouge Griotte marble clock set of exquisite craftsmanship. This spectacular clock set is comprising a pair of very large ni...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Ormolu and Marble Garniture Set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and most decorative French 19th century Neo-Classical st. ormolu and Rouge Griotte marble three piece garniture set signed Japy Frères. The impressive clock, which Japy Frères won a gold metal for this clock in 1855, at the center is raised by a rectangular Rouge Griotte marble base with fine bun feet and a striking wrap around Coeur de Rai and pierced palmettes bands at the mottled border. The white enameled clock face displays pierced hands and Roman hour numerals set within the mottled ormolu bezel with intricately detailed beaded and foliate designs with two charming and most unique butterflies. A beautiful maiden is seated above draped in a wonderfully executed flowing garment while breastfeeding a charming winged cherub with an anchor, a quiver, and an ewer at their side. The pair of urns are displayed at each side and are each raised by elegant square bases with a bottom ormolu band and an exceptional wrap around mottled band. Above the square Rouge Griotte pedestal...
Marble, Ormolu
Louis XVI style ormolu clock set, C19th
Located in Brighton, Sussex
This exquisite 19th-century French clock set features a stunning combination of gilded ormolu and verde marble. The centerpiece clock is elegantly adorned with intricate gilded detai...
Marble, Ormolu
Large Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Marble Clock Set
By Ferdinand Berthoud
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive and good quality 19th century gilded ormolu Louis XVI style clock garniture. The pair of five branch candelabra supported by a pair of classical semi clad females, ...
Marble, Ormolu
A fine 19th century French red marble and gilt bronze clock set
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine 19th century French Louis XV Empire marble and gilt bronze clock set . Louis XV gilt bronze candelabrum 27''h . Fine casting . ...
Griotte Marble, Bronze
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Marble & Ormolu Lyre Clock & Candelabra Set
By Lerolle Freres
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Very Fine French Late 19th Century Louis XVI Style White Marble and Ormolu 'Lyre' Clock Garniture Set. The lyre-shaped white marble clock is mounted with finely chased ormolu throu...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
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.
