Articles
Superb box or casket in gilt bronze decorated with finely carved motifs végataux and flowers on the lid and palm leaves on the body, signed F.Barbedienne *, in original box, Napoleon III nineteenth century.
This box is in very good condition. It is signed below to see pictures.
A note: some wear on the cabinet, negligible wear and scratches time, see pictures.
was a French industrialist. He is best known for his bronze foundry art reproduction. Son of a poor farmer Norman, he made a fortune in the first wallpaper before teaming up in 1838 with the mechanic Achille Collas (1795-1859), who had invented a process of reproduction in bronze and smaller scale works of art. In 1839, Barbedienne founded the house in which he reproduced in bronze statues of most European museums, small enough to be able to adorn modern interiors. His idea was to democratize art by making it accessible faithful reproductions of masterpieces. The themes chosen are often allegorical and draw heavily on the ancient repertoire. Even today, it is quite common to find in the "bourgeois" Homes Barbedienne signed bronzes. He applied his methods to the work of sculptors of his time (Barye, Fremiet, Leads, etc.) and created numerous bronze furniture models, enamel, cloisonné, tops and wooden reliefs etc. By publishing contracts that offered them, he contributed to their success through the distribution of their works. Being childless, his nephew and successor, Gustave Leblanc-Barbedienne who developed foundry specializing in monumental bronzes. In France, many memorials are signed Leblanc-Barbedienne. Quality cast iron, chasing and patina, fit for Barbedienne so have gradually, the signature of the founder has gained importance. Thanks to Ferdinand Barbedienne, the chipmaker to report sculptor has become analogous to the relationship between composer and performer for music. Ferdinand Barbedienne buried in the cemetery of Père-Lachaise in Paris.
