19th Century Neo-greek Inkwell In Bronze - Ferdinand Barbedienne

Neo-Greek inkwell
signed “F. Barbedienne”

France
circa 1880
high. 10 cm
wide. 24.5 x 15 cm

Beautiful Greek style inkwell in bronze with two patinas, light brown and gilded. Opening with a lid decorated with a lizard wrapping around a bindweed and a pomegranate. Flanked by two handles, the inkwell is decorated around bearded man's heads with palm leaves and antique vine branches.
The whole rests on a foot decorated with scrolls. Equipped with its blue glass bucket.

Biography
Born in 1810, Ferdinand Barbedienne started one of the most famous 19th century artistic bronze casting companies. He died in 1892. In addition to his personal production, he worked for famous artists such as Clésinger, Carrière-Belleuse and Guillemin. Barbedienne’s production was always highly esteemed and he was, himself admired by contemporary art critics who compared him during the 1878 Universal Exhibition to a « prince of industry and the king of bronze-casting ». In the catalogue of the Exhibition, Barbedienne was considered as the leader among 19th century bronze casters, because of the exquisit quality of his bronzes.