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.
A Patinated Bronze Bust of Jesus Christ by Clesinger and Barbedienne, 15" High
By Jean-Baptiste Auguste Clesinger, Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
A French Patinated Bronze Bust of Jesus Christ, Circa 1858, Signed J. Clesinger, Rome 1858 & F. Barbedienne Fondeur This French bronze bust of Jesus Christ, crafted circa 1858, stan...
Bronze
A Patinated Bronze Bust of Jesus Christ by Clesinger and Barbedienne, 12" High
By Jean-Baptiste Auguste Clesinger, Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
A French Patinated Bronze Bust of Jesus Christ, Circa 1858, Signed J. Clesinger, Rome 1858 & F. Barbedienne Fondeur This French bronze bust of Jesus Christ, crafted circa 1858, stan...
Bronze
Monumental Patinated Bronze Bust of George Washington, after William Rush
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
A Monumental Patinated Bronze Bust of George Washington, after William Rush This commanding bronze bust of George Washington is modeled after the cele...
Bronze
A Monumental Patinated Bronze Bust of Jesus Christ by Clesinger and Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne, Jean-Baptiste Auguste Clesinger
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
A Monumental and Truly Exceptional French Patinated Bronze Bust of Jesus Christ, Circa 1858, Signed J. Clesinger, Rome 1858 & F. Barbedienne Fondeur This monumental and extraord...
Bronze
A Monumental 16th Century Renaissance Carved Oak Bust of Jesus Christ
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
Magnificent and Monumental 16th Century Renaissance Carved Oak Bust of Christ, Flemish Netherlandish, C. 1550 A powerful and deeply expressive Renaissance carved oak bust of Jesus C...
Oak
A Monumental, Richly Patinated Bronze Bust of Beethoven by G. Leroux
By Gaston Leroux
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
A Monumental, Richly Patinated Bronze Bust of Beethoven by Gaston Veuvenot Leroux (1854-1942) & Eugène Blot, Fondeur This magnificent sculpture powerfully captures the iconic co...
Bronze
A Monumental French Patinated Bronze Bust of William Shakespeare, after Houdon
By F. Barbedienne Foundry
Located in Queens, NY
A Monumental French Patinated Bronze Bust of William Shakespeare, after Houdon, by F. Barbedienne Foundry, circa 1870. Masterfully and realistically sculpted in solid bronze, this b...
Bronze
19th Century American Tiffany & Co. Bronze Bust of William Shakespeare
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Dallas, TX
Circa 1880, this impressive antique American bronze bust depicts the celebrated playwright William Shakespeare with a calm, contemplative expression. Modeled in Renaissance dress, th...
Bronze
French Bronzed & Patinated Metal Bust Of Shakespeare With Paris Foundry Mark
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The bust of William Shakespeare shown is a French patinated bronze metal bust, having a foundry mark stamped "Paris, Made in France". It is a reproduction of a work by Jean Antoine H...
Metal
English Plaster Shakespeare Bust
Located in Queens, NY
English life size plaster bust of Shakespeare Condition: Good; Wear consistent with age and use
Plaster
German Bronze Bust of William Shakespeare by Aktien-Gesellschaft Gladenbeck 1890
Located in Long Island City, NY
A realistic German bronze bust of William Shakespeare by Aktien-Gesellschaft Gladenbeck and Sohn foundry, circa 1890 Very fine quality bust, nice patination. Would look great in a library or a gentlemans office. Signed on the back. Measures: 14" high x 10" wide x 5" deep Good condition. Ready to place. Minor wear consist with age and use. Aktien-Gesellschaft Gladenbeck was a foundry located in Berlin, Germany, that operated from 1851 until 1926. During the 75-year period when the foundry was in operation it was one of the most important foundries in Germany and was known for producing high quality bronze castings. The Aktien-Gesellschaft Gladenbeck foundry opened for business in 1851[2] in Berlin, Germany, under the leadership of its founder, Carl Gustav Hermann Gladenbeck. It was one of the most important foundries in Germany, known for high quality bronze castings. The foundry cast many of the best known bronze sculptures created by German artists in the mid-late 19th century and early 20th century. In addition to serving the usually modest casting requirements of German sculptors, the foundry was also capable of casting large-scale bronze statues. In 1913 the Gladenbeck foundry cast the monumental Confederate Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery. In 1910, Gladenbeck cast theT hree Dancing Maidens Untermyer fountain by sculptor Walter Schott. The fountain is located in Conservatory Garden, Central Park, New York. The sculpture – situated on a limestone plinth...
Bronze
Vintage Plaster Composite Bust of Shakespeare
Located in Troy, MI
Found in England, this plaster composite bust of William Shakespeare dates from the 1970s. Built in pedestal display stand. Unknown maker. Very good vintage condition with minor scat...
Other
