Ref. 1608/1

F. Barbedienne

Bronze-caster
(1810-1892)
(attributed to)

An oriental style chandelier

France
Circa 1870

Enamel, Gilded bronze

Height. : 75cm (29,5 in.) ; Diam. : 45cm (17,7 in.)

Exceptional gilt bronze and polychrome cloisonné enamel chandelier with six light-arms raising from an open-work gilt bronze body in the shape of an egg adorned with enameled stylized foliate. The whole is in the oriental style and hung with chains finishing in enameled medallions and corolla.

This work in enameled bronze of oriental style is typical of F. Barbedienne’s production, who was famous for his leading role in the renaissance of the cloisonné enamel decoration during the 19^th century.

Biography

Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892) created and headed at n°30 boulevard Poissonnière in Paris one of the most famous 19th century artistic bronze casting companies. He owed his reputation to his bronze casting of Ancient and modern sculptures, which subjects came from the greatest European museums, but also to his original bronze works designed in his workshop and reserved for furniture and decoration. In addition to his own production, Barbedienne worked for renowned sculptors such as Barrias, Bosio, Clésinger or Carrier-Belleuse. Awarded with two Council Medals at the 1851 London Universal Exhibition, the Barbedienne Company won at the 1855 Paris Universal Exhibition a medal of honour and eleven cooperator’s medals for the work of his co-workers, designers and chasers. At the 1867 Universal Exhibition in his capacity as member of and speaker for the Jury, he was non-contestant, but exhibited nevertheless with great success cloisonné and champlevé enamelled pieces. Barbedienne was made an Officer of the Legion of Honour in 1867 and Commander in 1878 when he was compared with “a prince of industry and the king of bronze casting”.