French Cloisonné, Marble, and Ormolu Garniture
F. Barbedienne (French, 19th Century)
Marble, cloisonné enamel, and gilt bronze, 20 × 13 × 8½ in.
This opulent three-piece garniture set, attributed to the celebrated French bronzier Ferdinand Barbedienne, consists of a pair of seven-light candelabra and a central tazza. The design combines rich black marble with vivid polychrome cloisonné enamel and finely cast ormolu mounts, featuring classical motifs and lion-mask handles.
Barbedienne’s foundry was renowned for its technical excellence and decorative innovation, producing luxury objects that epitomized 19th-century French design. Garnitures like this were prized for mantel or sideboard display, where their vibrant colors and gilded surfaces would reflect the light and signal the owner’s taste and refinement.
