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.
$12,500 / set
19thC Signed Barbedienne Three Arm Sconces, a Pair
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in Sarasota, FL
Mid 19thC Barbedienne signed pair of neoclassical period three arm sconces in bronze, made in France. Three foliate arms are decorated with floral swags. The fluted oval back plate i...
Metal, Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of Louis XV Style Gilt-Bronze Wall Lights by Barbedienne
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Pair of Louis XV style gilt-bronze wall lights by Barbedienne French, late 19th century Measures: height 51cm, width 41cm, depth 35cm Signed for the leading bronzier and metalwo...
Ormolu
Ferdinand Barbedienne Gilt and Patinated Bronze Six-Light Candelabra
By Ferdinand Barbedienne
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Ferdinand Barbedienne 1810-1892 A Neo-Grec gilt and patinated bronze six-light candelabra now fitted for electricity, France, last quarter of the...
Bronze
$1,574
H 17 in W 13.75 in D 7.5 in
19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Three-Light Sconce, Wall Candelabra
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
French Empire gilt bronze three-arm wall candleholder finely ornate with foliate, acorn motifs and three female faces, circa 1850-1870. This wall candelabra can easily be converted ...
Bronze
$30,049 / set
H 18.9 in W 8.67 in D 5.12 in
Set of Four Rococo Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Sconces
Located in London, GB
These sconces (wall lights) are wonderful examples of the 18th century Louis XV style, which was fashionably revived in the 19th century. The style was characterised by its rocaille ...
Ormolu, Bronze
$9,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 20 in W 6 in D 10 in
Pair Early 19thc French Antique Crystal Hurricane Shade Sconces attrib. Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Very Rare Pair of Mid 19thc Hurricane Shade Sconces Attributed to Baccarat France. Clear rop twist arms, White/ Gold Enamel Floral Accents. This whole set is all original. There are two heavy metal sconce arm holders, there is a crystal matching floral enamel basin...
Crystal
$1,080 / set
H 16.54 in W 8.27 in D 4.73 in
Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces By Gherardo Degli Albizzi
By Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
A fine set of French Louis XV style gilt bronze sconces By Gherardo Degli Albizzi Beautifully cast in the traditional manner with all the sumptu...
Bronze
$800 / set
H 19 in W 12 in D 7 in
Elegant Pair of Louis XV French Style Gilt Bronze Two-Light Wall Sconces
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Elegant Pair of Louis XV French Style Gilt Bronze Two-Light Wall Sconces Dimensions : 19" Tall X 12" Wide X 7" Deep A beautiful pair of French-style gilt bronze wall sconces featur...
Bronze
A pair of gilt bronze French wall lights
Located in Eindhoven, NL
An elegant pair of two gilt bronze French wall lights, each with 3 lights. With rocaille decoration. Style -Louis XV Place of origin- France Period- 20th c. The total height ...
Bronze
$3,250 / set
H 10 in W 9 in D 8.38 in
Pair of Edwardian Cold Painted Bronze 4-Light Flora Wall Sconces or Candelabra
By Ferdinand Barbedienne, Edward F. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of Edwardian bronze wall sconces. Each with 4 lights. Each arm in the form of a stems topped with flower-form candlecups. With polychrome cold-painted decorat...
Bronze
Pair of Three Arm Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Elegant and impressive, pair of three light Murano Glass wall sconces. Cream color glass arms, with gold flack inclusion support clear glass trumpet shad...
Art Glass
$12,500 / set
H 20 in W 10 in D 4 in
A beautiful set of 4 19th c Louis XV gilt bronze and patinated bronze sconces
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine set of 4 19th century French Louis Philippe gilt bronze and bronze sconces. Winged cherub in the center with gilt bronze leaves
Bronze
Large Wall Sconce Gilt Louis XV Style Nine Lights Electrical
Located in Austin, TX
Large antique style nine-light wall sconce will be a graceful focal point on any wall. Modern materials with old-world charm of Louis XV style. It is electrified for American stand...
Plastic
$2,150 / set
H 25 in W 18.5 in D 14 in
Italian Pair of Painted Iron & Carved Wood 3-Light Sconces, Early 19thc. & later
Located in Atlanta, GA
with later carved backplates issuing wrought iron arms topped with giltwood bobeches, slightly different in size
Iron
$2,495 / set
H 17.75 in W 12 in D 8.75 in
Pair of 19th Century French Empire Gilt Bronze Three Light Candelabras Sconces
Located in Pearland, TX
A gorgeous pair of 19th-Century French Empire gilded bronze three arm light wall sconces, circa 1850-1870. These beautiful sconces have a lovely gilt patina with foliate and floral d...
Bronze
$4,547Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.6 in W 16.15 in D 9.45 in
Pair of Large Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces Louis XV Style
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
Pair of Large Gilt Bronze Wall Sconces Louis XV Style These large and impressive gilt bronze wall sconces each support three beautifully decorated out-swept arms stemming from the ...
Bronze
Empire Style Patinated and Gilt Bronze Six-Light Bowl Chandelier
Located in London, GB
This beautiful bowl chandelier is designed in the Empire style, which flourished in France in the period 1804-14, when Napoleon Bonaparte was Emperor. The style is defined as a phase...
Ormolu, Bronze
$4,922 / set
H 13.78 in W 18.12 in D 11.82 in
19th Century Regency Louis XV Style Bronze-Gilt Pair of Wall Lights
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of appliques in the Regence style. Each three-lobed electrically mounted, bronze gilded, in the form of a mascaron semi-plastically executed, as well as floral decor, in each c...
Bronze