Ref. 1802

F. Barbedienne

Bronze-caster
(1810-1892)

Pair of “cloisonne” enamel vases

Signed F. Barbedienne

France
Circa 1880

Height : 23 cm (9 in.) ; Diameter : 11 cm (4,3 in.)

Pair of trumpet-shaped vases made in gilded bronze and polychrome « cloisonne » enamel adorned with stylized floral motifs. Resting on four lion headed feet with mobile handles.

Biography

Born in 1810, Ferdinand Barbedienne started at n°30 boulevard Poissonnière in Paris one of the most famous 19th century artistic bronze casting companies. He died in 1892. In addition to his personal production, he worked for famous artists such as Auguste Clésinger (1814-1883), Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse (1824-1887) and Louis Barrias (1841-1905 At the London Universal Exhibition of 1862 Barbedienne exhibited some « cloisonné » enamel works, which were for most of them designed by Constant Sévin, and won medals in three different categories : Furniture, Silversmith work and Artistic bronzes, combining for some pieces with enamels (Oriental style cup, Château de Compiègne, Inv. C 71-122). Barbedienne’s production was always highly esteemed and he was, himself admired by contemporary art critics who compared him during the 1878 Universal Exhibition to a « prince of industry and the king of bronze-casting ».