BY FERDINAND BARBEDIENNE, THE FIGURE CAST FROM A MODEL BY GEORGES BAREAU, CIRCA 1915

細節

A French ormolu, patinated-bronze and griotte marble garniture de cheminee
By Ferdinand Barbedienne, The figure cast from a model by Georges Bareau, Circa 1915
Comprising: A mantel clock surmounted by a bronze figure entitled L'Histoire, the base inscribed GEORGES BAREAU/F. BARBEDIENNE FONDEUR, on a stepped marble clockcase applied with garlands and lion masks, the central circular dial with Roman chapters and twin-train movement, inscribed BARBEDIENNE/PARIS, on paw feet; a pair of nine-light candelabra, each with scrolling branches issuing from a baluster vase, applied with scrolling handles and swags, on a square stepped base ending in paw-cast feet, each inscribed at the shoulder F.BARBEDIENNE; a pair of chenets, each modelled as a marble vase with pinecone finial, applied with satyr masks, on a pierced rocaille base with paw feet, with spiral billet bar; and tongs and a shovel, each with similar pinecone finial
The clock: 35in. (88.9cm.) high; The candelabra: 34¾in. (88.3cm.) high; The chenets: 22 1/8in. (56.2cm.) high (7)

拍品專文

Ferdinand Barbedienne (d. 1892) initially trained as a wallpaper manufacturer. He changed his profession to fondeur in 1838 and began his Parisian foundry in partnership with Achilles Collas (d. 1859) in 1839. Barbedienne eventually became one of the most active and distinguished bronziers of the 19th century, winning numerous medals at various major international exhibitions beginning in the 1850s.

The Barbedienne workshops were equipped to perform bronze reduction, fine metal cutting, bronze mounting, marble work, turning, enamel decoration and crystal engraving. They were celebrated for bronze editions, but also produced decorative objects in styles that reflected the various exotic and revival trends popular at the time. The present lot is a unique example which showcases the range of skills and techniques that the firm was capable of.

An example of the bronze figure by Bareau, without the accompanying garniture, sold in these rooms, 10 October 2001, Lot 276, ($10,575).