Rating and value of Ferdinand Barbedienne's works, sculptures and lighting fixtures
Key takeaways
- Ferdinand Barbedienne's works sell for between €20 and €100,000, with particularly high prices for objects and ceramics from the Napoleon III era.
- A French sculptor (1810–1892), Barbedienne revolutionized access to art by developing a mechanical process for scaling down sculptures, which he patented in 1837.
- His lamps and sculptures are valued at €60 to €10,400 and €50 to €19,000, respectively, with strong demand from French and European collectors.
If you own a work by or after Ferdinand Barbedienne, and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers will offer you their appraisal services. Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your work, and provide you with a precise estimate of its current market value. Then, if you wish to sell your work, we will guide you towards the best possible arrangement to obtain the optimum price.
Rating and value of the artist Ferdinand Barbedienne
The artist Ferdinand Barbedienne leaves in his wake a very singular body of work, in a neo-Renaissance style. A talented sculptor, he produced numerous works that were particularly prized at auction. Prices for his works are now skyrocketing under auctioneers' gavels. They are particularly prized by French and European buyers. The price at which they sell on the art market ranges from €20 to €100,000, a considerable delta but one that speaks volumes about the value that can be attributed to Ferdinand Barbedienne's works. In 2013, a pair of Napoleon III-period ceramic vases sold for €100,000, while they were estimated at €30,000 to €50,000.
Order of value from a simple work to the most prestigious
Technique used | Result |
|---|---|
Luminaire | From €60 to €10,400 |
Sculpture - volume | From €50 to €19,000 |
Object | From €20 to €100,000 |
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Style and technique of artist Ferdinand Barbedienne
Ferdinand Barbedienne succeeded in reviving the mastery of sculpture techniques: bronze, ceramics, in order to produce copies of masterpieces to make art accessible to the widest audience, at affordable prices.
Ferdinand Barbedienne, his life, his work
Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892), a French artist, became an important figure in the 19th century art world. He first developed a wallpaper business, then collaborated with Achille Collas to invent a mechanical process for reducing sculpture in the round, for which he filed a patent in 1837. They founded a company to market sculpture reductions.
At the 1839 national exhibition, he received a silver medal for a reduction of the Venus de Milo. Thanks to his growing success, he obtained reproduction contracts for many of the prized sculptors of his day, such as Carrier-Belleuse and Barye. The volume of his reproductions grew as his career progressed, enabling him to exhibit at the London World's Fair in 1851, then at the Paris World's Fair in 1855.
At the start of the Franco-Prussian conflict in 1870, he was forced to cease his activity as an art foundryman and turned to art enamels.
He died in Paris in 1892.
Ferdinand Barbedienne's imprint on his period
Some of Fernand Barbedienne's works are visible and scattered in various towns in France, but relatively few: the bulk of his production is in private collections. He leaves a considerable legacy in the history of 19th-century art and sculpture.
Recognizing the artist's signature
Not all of Ferdinand Barbedienne's works are signed. This is why, if you think you own a work by or after the artist, it is essential to have it appraised by an expert who will be able to authenticate it.
Knowing the value of a work
If you happen to own a work by or after Ferdinand Barbedienne, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal using our form on our website. A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you promptly to provide you with an estimate of the market value of your work, as well as any relevant information about it. If you wish to sell your work, you will also be accompanied by our specialists in order to benefit from alternatives to sell it at the best possible price, taking into account the inclinations of the market.
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Frequently asked questions
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Who was Ferdinand Barbedienne, and what was his contribution to art history?Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810–1892) was a leading 19th-century French artist, known for making art more accessible by developing a mechanical process for creating scaled-down versions of bronze and ceramic sculptures. In collaboration with Achille Collas, he patented this technique in 1837 and founded a company specializing in reproductions of masterpieces, winning the silver medal at the 1839 National Exhibition for a reduction of the Venus de Milo. His work left a lasting mark on 19th-century sculpture, and his reproductions remain highly sought after by collectors.
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What is the price range for Ferdinand Barbedienne's works at auction?Prices for Barbedienne's works vary considerably depending on the type and size of the piece, ranging from €20 to €100,000. Light fixtures generally sell for between €60 and €10,400, sculptures between €50 and €19,000, and objects (such as vases or pairs of vases) can reach €100,000. It is worth noting that some pieces far exceed their initial estimates, such as a pair of Napoleon III ceramic vases that sold for €100,000 in 2013.
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How can a work attributed to Ferdinand Barbedienne be authenticated?Since not all of Barbedienne’s works are signed, it is essential to have a piece authenticated by a specialized expert before selling it. Auctie's offers a free, no-obligation appraisal via its online form: a state-certified auctioneer or expert will contact you to examine the work and provide you with a precise authentication and appraisal within 48 hours.
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Is this the right time to sell a work by Barbedienne?Yes, now is a good time to sell a work by Barbedienne. His sculptures, light fixtures, and objects are in high demand, particularly among French and European buyers, and auction prices are on the rise. Auctioneers are seeing growing enthusiasm for these pieces, which presents a great opportunity to make a good sale.
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How does the appraisal and sale of a work of art take place at Auctie's?Auctie's supports you every step of the way: after you request a free estimate using the form on our website, an expert or auctioneer will contact you within 48 hours to examine your artwork and provide you with an appraisal. If you wish to sell, our specialists will help you choose the best approach and guide you through the auction process to secure the best possible price, taking market trends into account.
