Historical & Monumental Neoclassical French Pair of Figural Bronze Lamps, by Ferdinand Barbedienne, 41.5″ Statues of Venus & Diana Louvre Reductions with Custom Painted Shades, c. 1880
General, LightingThis monumental pair of nineteenth-century French neoclassical patinated bronze table lamps represents the pinnacle of decorative arts from the golden age of European metalwork. Masterfully cast by the world-renowned Ferdinand Barbedienne Foundry in Paris, each base proudly bears the authentic, incised F. Barbedienne, Fondeur signature alongside the distinctive round Achille Collas mechanical reduction stamp. Crafted between 1860 and 1890, these markings verify that the foundry used its famous precision technology to replicate the flawless anatomical accuracy and crisp drapery details of the original museum antiquities.
The bronzes are authorized reductions of two celebrated classical Louvre Museum masterpieces traditionally attributed to the ancient Greek master Praxiteles. One figure depicts Diana of Gabii, the goddess of the hunt, gracefully fastening a heavy cloak over her shoulder. The companion figure depicts the Venus of Arles, the goddess of love, bound in a classical hair ribbon while holding her mythical prize apple and adjusting a draped veil. Originally conceived as grand independent sculptures for affluent Grand Tour collectors, these figures were later expertly electrified and converted into a sophisticated pair of functional table lamps. Completing this magnificent pairing is a set of matching, custom hand-painted lampshades designed specifically to complement the scale and formal presence of the bronzes.
The pair offers an extraordinary opportunity to acquire a seamless blend of museum-grade French sculptural artistry and timeless, functional elegance for any high-end interior.
Signed on each – “F. Barbedienne Foundeur” along with an inserted A.Collas coin – “RÉDUCTION MÉCANIQUE – A. COLLAS – BREVETÉ” and incorporates a profile portrait of Collas. Achille Collas patented a mechanical reduction system that allowed sculpture to be reproduced accurately at different scales; he partnered with Ferdinand Barbedienne in 1838, and the process became fundamental to the foundry’s production of reductions after celebrated sculptures.
Dimensions: lamps **without shades** : width 8″ ( fits within the square base) x depth square base 8″ x height 41.5″ ( to include
finial & excellent condition) Note: hand painted shades: width 24.5″ x depth 14.75″ x height 11.75″ ( very good shape but slight denting on edges due to age & use)
$6,500.00
1 in stock
