A French 19th century Egyptian Revival st. Belle Époque period patinated bronze and ormolu bust, signed by F. Barbedienne

List: $12,800.00

An exceptional French 19th century Egyptian Revival st. Belle Époque period patinated bronze and ormolu bust, signed by F. Barbedienne. The wonderful bust is raised by an elegant circular base with a fine wrap around ormolu band below the socle... — Read More

Item # 11633
H: 21.5 in L: 10.25 in D: 10.75 in
H: 55 cm L: 26 cm D: 27 cm
France
19th Century
Ormolu, Patinated Bronze
Belle Époque Period Read More, Egyptian Revival st. Read More

(Belle Époque Period) - Gaining its name from the optimistic and peaceful period of time between 1871 and World War I, Belle Epoque means “beautiful period”, and occurred during the era of the Third French Republic. This period of economic, colonial, and scientific prosperity brought with it a flourishing artistic climate with numerous literal, musical, theatrical, and visual masterpieces being created. The Eiffel Tower, which was constructed between 1887 and 1889, served as the entrance to the World’s Fair held in Paris. That same year, the Moulin Rouge cabaret in Paris was founded and showcased the now more mainstream styles of performance including can-can dancing. Belle Epoque dancers and singers were Paris celebrities and became immortalized by the poster arts of Toulouse-Lautrec. Leading up to this period in 1865, the American Civil War was coming to a close, with France proposing to construct the Statue of Liberty as a joint effort with the United States. France would be responsible for the statue, with America constructing the pedestal. Created to celebrate the nation’s success in building a viable democracy, the statue would stand as a symbol of friendship between the French and American people.

(Egyptian Revival st.) - This architectural and design style of using elements and imagery from ancient Egypt was attributed to Napoleon’s military endeavors in Egypt. Napoleon’s journey and findings in Egypt were published in 1826. The Parisian elite fell in love with the elements and scale of Egyptian faćades and after Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt entire buildings began to be built to incorporate motifs from ancient Egypt. Artists and craftsmen started to present their own unique interpretations of the Egyptian style by combining motifs of crocodiles, pyramids, mummies, and sphinxes. Egyptian style architecture and design existed in France prior to Napoleon, but it was not widely popular other than in gardens and exterior monuments. These monuments were intended to be not only decorative but also served a purpose.

Ferdinand Barbedienne Read More

Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810 – 1892), a renowned French Bronzier. Between 1850 and 1854 his firm, Barbedienne, provided furnishings in the Renaissance Revival style for the Hôtel de Ville, Paris. They received numerous medals at the International Exhibitions, including medals in three different classes at the International Exhibition of 1862 in London.

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