‘Gloria Victis’, A Patinated Bronze Figural Group by Mercié, Cast by Barbedienne
About the Item
- Creator:Ferdinand Barbedienne (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 41.74 in (106 cm)Width: 16.54 in (42 cm)Depth: 14.18 in (36 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:Bronze,Patinated
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1880
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Please note the marble pedestal is not included with the sculpture.
- Seller Location:Brighton, GB
- Reference Number:
Ferdinand Barbedienne
Founded by one-time Parisian wallpaper dealer Ferdinand Barbedienne and engineer Achille Collas, one of the most revered foundries in 19th-century France began with the invention of a revolutionary 1830s-era device that could produce proportional reproductions — large or small — of sculptures. Collas’s machine, which yielded miniature likenesses of antiquities for the interiors of homes the world over, was pivotal to the success of the F. Barbedienne Foundry. The successful firm earned prestigious awards and critical acclaim and created exquisite bronze candleholders, clocks and lamps for a range of wealthy and prominent clients.
The duo first launched their company under the name Société Collas et Barbedienne, and early on, they optimized chemical processes for pigmenting and patinating their bronze statuettes. After Collas died in 1859, Barbedienne forged on alone, and the company’s name changed to simply F. Barbedienne.
Barbedienne employed more than 300 workers at that point, and the Maison created a range of furnishings and decorative objects that featured the integration of marble and ormolu accents. However, with the onset of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, the foundry was forced to retrofit its molds, and the production of cannons replaced sculptures, furniture and vases.
When Ferdinand Barbedienne passed away in 1891, his nephew and heir, Gustave Leblanc, took over as president, changing the name to Leblanc-Barbedienne. Leblanc expanded production into Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States, carrying on the company's legacy with monumental sculptures, and models and securing production rights for famous statues. Paul-Alexandre Dumas, an Art Nouveau maker and student of Louis Majorelle, succeeded Leblanc until the company's closing in 1952.
Barbedienne pieces had been exhibited regularly in the 19th century and were especially prevalent at Europe’s international expositions and world’s fairs, where they received numerous prizes. Today, the Musée d’Orsay in Paris holds dozens of Barbedienne works in its collection, including intricate mirrors, vases and cups created by Louis-Constant Sévin at the foundry. For more than two decades, Sévin created lamps, boxes and more at Maison Barbedienne. Working alongside award-winning chaser Désiré Attarge, Sévin designed Napoleon III-era works that greatly appealed to European nobility.
Other notable artists who collaborated with Barbedienne included Eugene Aizelin, Emmanuel Fremiet, Antonin Mercié, Emile Guillemin, Edouard Lievre, Ferdinand Levillain and Auguste Rodin.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of antique Ferdinand Barbedienne decorative objects, lighting and more.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Brighton, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Pair of Large Patinated Bronze Figural Torcheres Cast by Barbedienne, Dated 1872By Ferdinand Barbedienne, Émile GuilleminLocated in Brighton, West SussexA highly important pair of large patinated bronze figural torcheres by Émile Guillemin, cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne. French, dated 1872. Barbedienne Title: 'Deux Femmes, Indi...Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Floor Lamps
MaterialsBronze
- 'The Soldier of Marathon' Bronze after a Model by Cortot Cast by BarbedienneBy Jean Pierre Cortot, Ferdinand BarbedienneLocated in Brighton, West Sussex'The Soldier of Marathon' - A large patinated bronze group after a model by Jean-Pierre Cortot, Cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne. Jean-Pierre Cort...Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsBronze
- Neo-Grec Gilt and Patinated Bronze Tazza, Cast by BarbedienneBy Ferdinand Levillain, Ferdinand BarbedienneLocated in Brighton, West SussexA Neo-Grec gilt and patinated bronze Tazza, designed by Ferdinand Levillain and cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne. Marked 'F. Levillain' to the decoration and stamped 'F. Barbedienne' to the underside. This rare tazza is a fine example of the collaboration between the gifted designer Ferdinand Levillain and the highly acclaimed bronzier Ferdinand Barbedienne. It is decorated with a bas-relief in the 'Neo-Grec' or ‘Pompeian’ style with classical figures herding animals...Category
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Revival Decorative Dishes and V...
MaterialsBronze
- 'Bacchantes', a Fine Patinated Bronze Figural Group After Clodion, circa 1870By Claude Michel ClodionLocated in Brighton, West Sussex'Bacchantes', a fine patinated bronze figural group after Claude Michael Clodion, French (1738-1814). French, circa 1870. Signed 'Clodion' to the base and inscribed 'BACCHANTE...Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsBronze
- 'Grand Nu Aux Feuillages', a Fine Patinated Bronzed Figural Group, circa 1900By Alois MayerLocated in Brighton, West Sussex'Grand Nu Aux Feuillages', a fine patinated bronzed figural group by Alois Mayer. German, circa 1900. Signed 'A. Mayer'. Alois Mayer (1855-1936) Was a German Sculptor who...Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsBronze, Iron
- Pair of Patinated Bronze Nine-Light Candelabra by BarbedienneBy Ferdinand BarbedienneLocated in Brighton, West SussexA fine pair of neoclassical style gilt and patinated bronze nine-light candelabra by Ferdinand Barbedienne, French, Circa 1870.Category
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Revival Candelabras
MaterialsBronze
- A. Mercie "Gloria Victis" foundeur F. BarbedienneBy Antonin MercieLocated in OŻARÓW MAZOWIECKI, PLA stunning and highly sought after patinated bronze figure with an allegorical theme, titled "Gloria Victis" (Glory to the vanquished). Signed on the basis of the name of the author ...Category
Antique 1870s French Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsBronze
- Bronze Figural Sculpture of Gloria Victis by Antonin MerciéBy Antonin Mercie, F. Barbedienne FoundryLocated in New York, NYGloria Victis, a winged figure of victory carrying a fallen warrior casted in bronze with brown patina. Inscribed with 'F. Barbedienne. Fonduer' mark and...Category
Antique 19th Century French Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsBronze
- French 19th C Gilt and Patinated Bronze Group of Gloria Victis, by A. MercieBy F. Barbedienne Foundry, Antonin MercieLocated in New York, NYAn Incredible and Large Gilt and Patinated Bronze Group of Gloria Victis, a Winged Figure of Victory with a Fallen Warrior. This incredible bronze piece was cast after a model by Maarius-Jean-Antonin Mercié, This model is signed 'F. BARBEDIENNE FONDEUR PARIS' demonstrating that it was cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne's foundry, the best bronzier of the 19th century. The base is further signed 'A. Mercie' and stamped 'Réduction Mécanique' with an inscription of '659'. The figure is mounted on a Belgian noir marble base with various stepped edges. Gloria Victis is one the most well-known and important bronze casts of the 19th Century. The quality of this particular model is absolutely incredible and all the marking indicate that this particular piece is one of the finest produced by the Foundry. A student of Jouffroy and de Falguière at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Marius-Jean-Antonin Mercié (1845-1916) won the Grand Prix de Rome at 23 years old with his work Thésée vainqueur du Minotaure. In 1872, he sent the plaster model of his work David vainqueur to the Salon, for which he won the first class medal. At the same time, he received La croix de la Légion d'honneur at the Villa Medici. His return to Paris, in 1874, issued in a long and brilliant career with numerous commissions, notably the monuments for Louis-Philippe and Queen Marie-Amélie for the Royal Chapel at Dreux (1886). By the age of 30 Mercié was already very well-known and his Gloria Victis received resounding success when it was exhibited at the Salon, in 1874 (in plaster) and in 1875 (in bronze). This work exalted the heroism and the patriotic sentiments aroused by the disasters of 1870. His predilection for patriotic subjects is shown in many of his works such as Quand même...Category
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Busts
MaterialsBelgian Black Marble, Bronze
- A large 19th Century Bronze Group "Gloria Victis" by MercieLocated in Los Angeles, CAA magnificent French patinated bronze figural group entitled 'Gloria Victis' by Marius-Jean-Antonin Mercie, raised on ormolu mounted rouge marble clock base. Original rich dark patina. Mercié's original plaster sculpture of Gloria Victis won a medal at the 1874 Paris Salon. This highly detailed sculpture is Cast by Barbedienne foundry who was the leading manufacture of artistic bronzes during the second half of the 19th century, from a model by Marius-Jean-Antonin Mercie in the last quarter 19th century. One example of this piece is at the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC. Another one can be found in Bordeaux, France, where it faces Saint André's Cathedral. Signed A. MERCIÉ The base titled GLORIA VICTIS Inscribed F. BARBEDIENNE, Fondeur Paris, circa 1875 Measures: Height 44" (111 cm) Width 22" (56 ccm) Depth 18" (45 cm) The Gloria Victis sculpture...Category
Antique 19th Century French Sculptures
MaterialsBronze
- Large French Patinated Bronze Sculpture of David by Mercié and BarbedienneBy Ferdinand Barbedienne, Marius Jean Antonin MerciéLocated in London, GBLarge French patinated bronze sculpture of David by Mercié and Barbedienne French, circa 1878 Measures: Height 77cm, width 36cm, depth 27cm...Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsBronze
- Bronze statue of Gloria Victis, circa 1880, by BarbedienneBy F. Barbedienne FoundryLocated in Brighton, SussexA fine quality bronze sculpture of Gloria Carrying the Angel Victis, Cast by Barbedienne and After a Model by Marius-Jean-Antonin Mercie´ (French, 1845-1916). The draped figure...Category
Antique 19th Century French Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsBronze