Gueridon possibly Ferdinand Barbedienne. France, ca. 1850

Possibly FERDINAND BARBEDIENNE (L'Oudon, 1810-Paris, 1892).
Gueridon, France, ca. 1850.
Gilded bronze. Belgian marble and malachite top.
Measurements: 73 x 50 x 50 cm.

Each of the parts that make up this exquisite gueridon are distinguished by their attentive attention to detail, a fact that suggests that it may have been part of the production of Ferdinand Barbedienne, successful French cabinetmaker and bronze artist exponent of the Second Empire style. Formally it is worth noting, on the one hand, the tripod base finished in claw feet with prominent knees that take the form of fierce animal heads, interspersed with palmettes and plant motifs. On the other hand, the sculptural shaft with the representation of Hercules covering part of his body with the skin of the lion of Nemea, which was impenetrable. This has been worked in the manner of an Atlantean supporting the base of a column embellished with palmettes, grooves and gadroons. Finally, the circular top in black Belgian marble is inlaid with malachite in the form of borders and synthesized classical motifs.

For centuries, hard stone furniture was considered the most luxurious and valuable piece of furniture, maintained in all collections and noble houses despite changes in fashion. This Renaissance technique had its origin in the discoveries of Roman archaeological remains, bringing the scholars of the time closer to the special taste for marbles and rare stones of imperial Rome.

Ferdinand Barbedienne was a French cabinetmaker and bronze artist, exponent of the Second Empire style. He worked for several sculptors, such as Antoine-Louis Barye. In 1839 he became associated with Achille Collas, with whom he set up a bronze factory in Paris, which had up to three hundred workers. In addition to bronze objects, they produced furniture and silver pieces, in an eclectic style ranging from neo-Renaissance to neo-Louis XVI. In 1850 he was commissioned to furnish the Hôtel de Ville in Paris. In 1851 he participated in the Great Exhibition in London with an ebony and bronze bookcase based on models by Ghiberti and Michelangelo. He was also present at the Universal Exhibition of 1862 with a bronze vase with champagne enamels, now in the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. In the 1880s he turned his production towards oriental influences, mainly Chinese and Japanese. In 1863 he received the Legion of Honor with the rank of knight, which was elevated to the rank of officer in 1867 and commander in 1874.