F. Barbedienne Gilt Bronze Double Inkstand

Description of the Inkstand

• Maker and Mark: F. Barbedienne (Ferdinand Barbedienne) in Paris. The presence of the founder’s mark confirms its authenticity and high-quality production.
• Material and Finish: Gilt Bronze (or ormolu). The piece is cast in bronze and then coated with a thin layer of gold, a demanding process that results in a lustrous, durable finish.
• Overall Form: A classically inspired double inkstand on a rectangular base, featuring two inkwells and a central container, all connected by detailed bronze scrollwork and decorative elements.

Figural Handles and Faces

The design of this inkstand suggests a Neo-Classical or Renaissance Revival style, drawing from Roman or Greek mythology.

Analysis of the Inkwell Lid Mascarons

The F. Barbedienne Foundry frequently used themes drawn from the Renaissance and Classical antiquity. The pair of faces (one male, one female) on the inkwells’ lids is characteristic of this tradition.

1. The Female Face

• Appearance: This figure is typically smooth, youthful, and serene, with hair pulled back.
• Symbolism: She represents the idealized Classical Maiden or a Nymph. In the context of the pair, she often symbolizes Beauty, Joy, or Young Love.

2. The Male Face

• Appearance: This figure is older, bearded, and highly expressive. The features—furrowed brow, heavy beard, and intense expression—align perfectly with popular representations of:
  • Fauns or Satyrs: Minor deities associated with Dionysus (Bacchus), known for merriment, wine, and wildness.
  • Elderly Philosophers or Poets: Figures of wisdom, often depicted in a weathered or serious manner.

The Most Likely Interpretation: Bacchic or Allegorical

When paired this way, the figures rarely represent named historical figures. Instead, they are typically allegorical, depicting concepts like:

• The Seasons
• Ages of Man (Youth and Age)

The presence of the expressive male face alongside the serene female face suggests a design inspired by the Bacchic cult, a popular decorative motif that was widely reproduced by high-end foundries like Barbedienne during the mid-19th century.

Handles (Figural Termini):

Given the strong jawline and short, curly hair, these busts are most convincingly interpreted as idealized male figures from classical mythology, such as:

• Apollo: God of music, art, and light, often depicted as a youthful, idealized male figure.
• Mercury (Hermes): God of travelers and commerce.
• A Youthful Philosopher or Poet: An unnamed figure representing wisdom or the arts.

The Barbedienne Foundry frequently mixed male and female elements within a single piece or even designed complementary male and female pieces. The combination of these male busts on the handles and the male/female mascarons on the lids creates a rich, complex thematic tapestry typical of 19th-century Neo-Classical design.

Central Container

The container in the middle often served multiple purposes on a desk.

• Function: It is a storage compartment for nibs, seals, or stamps.
• Decoration: The body of this container is decorated with finely detailed raised friezes (bands of sculpture).

Information Pertaining to F. Barbedienne

Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810–1892) was one of the most celebrated and important French art founders (bronzists) of the 19th century, renowned worldwide for the superb quality of his castings.

Key Facts about the Barbedienne Foundry

Age Estimate

The period of greatest output and fame for the Barbedienne firm was the mid-to-late 19th century, perfectly aligning with the style of this inkstand.

Age Estimate: circa 1850 – 1892