Lot Essay
Born in Normandy in 1810, Ferdinand Barbedienne (d.1892), although specialised in bronzes, also created a few pieces of furniture, some of which were on display at the Paris 1855 Great Exhibition. It is believed that he didn't have his own atelier d'ébéniaterie and therefore commissioned the carcasses to be made by an outside workshop. He would then embellish these with bronze mounts of his own production, as on the present cabinets.
The present bronzes are known as bronzes 'grotte' which means they have a 'weathered rock' appearance.
The present bronzes are known as bronzes 'grotte' which means they have a 'weathered rock' appearance.