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Lot Essay
The eminent French foundry of Val d'Osne was established in the town of the same name in 1835 by J. P. V. André. Somewhat of an entrepreneur, André made an early name for himself by inventing a cheap system of moulding drainage and water pipes, which he supplied in large quantities to the city of Paris.
A frequent participant at the international exhibitions of the second half of the nineteenth century, in particular receiving critical acclaim for a large fountain cast with classical figures shown in London in 1851, the Val d'Osne's output was not only prolific but hugely diverse. Taken over by Barbezat & Cie in 1867, and allying with the fondeur Ducel towards 1870, the company was eventually renamed Société Anonyme des Hauts-Fourneaux & Fonderies du Val-D'Osne, Anciennes maison J. P. V. André et J. J. Ducel et Fils.
The introduction of electricity in the late 1880s as a means of both public and domestic lighting allowed firms such as Val d'Osne to take full advantage of the new decorative possibilities, illustrated by the engraving from one of their trade catalogues reproduced above.
A frequent participant at the international exhibitions of the second half of the nineteenth century, in particular receiving critical acclaim for a large fountain cast with classical figures shown in London in 1851, the Val d'Osne's output was not only prolific but hugely diverse. Taken over by Barbezat & Cie in 1867, and allying with the fondeur Ducel towards 1870, the company was eventually renamed Société Anonyme des Hauts-Fourneaux & Fonderies du Val-D'Osne, Anciennes maison J. P. V. André et J. J. Ducel et Fils.
The introduction of electricity in the late 1880s as a means of both public and domestic lighting allowed firms such as Val d'Osne to take full advantage of the new decorative possibilities, illustrated by the engraving from one of their trade catalogues reproduced above.