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Large 19th Century Pair of Bronze Figural Torcheres

$189,466.03per set

£138,000per set

€162,209.64per set

CA$262,703.18per set

A$282,515.27per set

CHF 151,061.46per set

MX$3,407,053.80per set

NOK 1,910,275.55per set

SEK 1,740,506.98per set

DKK 1,212,065.56per set

About the Item

A pair of Figural Porte-Lumières, cast by Barbedienne from the celebrated Armand Toussaint Models Constructed in bronze, and having a patinated natural, and a highlighted gilt patination, the male and female semi- clothed figures, standing on plinth bases hold aloft flambeaux. Each figure signed by the artist and dated 1850, and further inscribed F. Barbedienne. French, circa 1860 Armand (François-Christoph-Armand) Toussaint (1806-1862) A pupil of the illustrious David d'Angers, he showed at the Paris Salon from 1836-1850, gaining medals of distinction, and later became professor of the École des Beaux-Arts, and was elected a Chevalier of the Légion d'Honneur in 1852. These figures were originally made in plaster and exhibited at the Salon in 1847, and the French state commissioned a pair in bronze for the Élysée Palace, which were shown in 1850. Ferdinand Barbedienne Ferdinand Barbedienne and Achille Collas, who was the inventor of a machine that would mechanically reduce statues, started the F. Barbedienne foundry in Paris in 1838. At first they produced bronze reductions of antique sculptures of Greek and Roman origin. Their first contract to produce bronzes modelled by a living artist was made in 1843 when they arranged to produce the works of Francois Rude. They barely survived the revolution and financial collapse of 1848, which caused many artists and foundries to declare bankruptcy. Barbedienne actively pursued contracts with the many sculptors of Paris contracting with David D'Angers, Jean-Baptiste Clesinger, and even producing some casts for Antoine Louis Barye as well as others. Achille Collas died in 1859 leaving Ferdinand Barbedienne as the sole owner of the foundry which by that time had grown to employ over 300 workers at their workshop located at 63 Rue de Lancry in Paris. Ferdinand Barbedienne was made the President of the Reunion of Bronze Makers in 1865 a post he held until 1885. The outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war in 1870 and the shortage of raw metals caused him to have to stop making sculptures but he did receive a contract from the French government for the production of cannons which kept his foundry open. After the war he resumed his casting of sculptures and put even more effort into signing contracts with various sculptors. Barbedienne purchased 125 casting models from the late Antoine Louis Barye's sale in 1876. He set about casting and selling editions of these sculptures which was very successful, devoting an entire catalogue to these works. Ferdinand Barbedienne died on March 21 1891 and was mourned by many in the world of sculpture. It was said that he strove to the highest quality in his castings Albert Susse said of him that he was the "pride of the nation" and that he "carried the splendour of our industry so loftily to all international competitions". The running of the foundry was taken over by Gustave Leblanc, a nephew, and continued the high standards set by M. Barbedienne. The foundry set up agencies in Germany, Britain, and the United States to market their production. Leblanc actively purchased models and production rights from sculptors including Auguste Rodin and the estates of sculptures including Emmanuel Fremiet. The foundry continued under the stewardship of M. Leblanc until 1952. A copy of the Barbedienne catalogue of 1894 is in our possession, and shows these models illustrated, and costing the equivalent value of two years salary of a professional man- a very considerable sum. Literature; Benezit Dictionary of Artists, Volume 13.

Creator:
A. Toussaint - G. Chaudoir (Artist),Ferdinand Barbedienne (Maker)
Dimensions:
Height: 47.5 in (120.65 cm)Width: 13.5 in (34.29 cm)Depth: 10.5 in (26.67 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 2
Style:
Romantic (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Bronze,Cast
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
Mid-19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1860
Condition:
Repaired: Each item has undergone careful inspection and restoration by a conservation specialist in order to guarantee the original quality and integrity of the object. Wear consistent with age and use. Fully electrified in working condition.
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: 89631stDibs: LU954711763241

Shop All Ferdinand Barbedienne

Ferdinand Barbedienne

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.

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