F. Barbedienne Tazza Of The Triumph Of Galatea

Product Details

Baroque inspired gilt metal and silver plate tazza, from the important French bronze foundry of Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892).   In 1838 Barbedienne went into partnership with Achille Collas (1795-1859) who had just invented a machine to reproduce high quality bronze statues in miniature.  They originally concentrated on baroque and neoclassical bronzes but by 1843 extended their scope to include the work of living artists, including Antoine Louis Barye and August Rodin.  After Barbedienne’s death the business was carried on by his nephew, Gustave Leblanc until 1952.  The original paper label is intact with the address of 30 Bd (Boulevard)  Poissonniere, Paris.  French, early 20th century.

The central image is from a 19th century copy of the Italian Renaissance painter Raphael’s fresco “The Triumph of Galatea”, * executed in 1511 for Agostino Chigi’s villa, now Villa Farnesina in Rome.  The underside of the tazza is heavily ornamented as is the pedestal.

6 3/3” (17.2cm) high, 7 5/8” (19.4cm) diameter.

$1500.

*. The Royal Academy in London, England has a full description of the story of the painting.