A French bronze and cloisonné enamel guéridon table signed F. Barbedienne, Paris Napoleon III, circa 1870

In very good original condition. Very minor stains to the surface of the top.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

In 1830 Barbedienne (1810-1892) founded one of the most important French art foundries. He was renowned for his masterly reproductions of French and Italian Renaissance sculpture. In 1839, he collaborated with the inventor Achille Collas who had succeeded in enlarging and reducing works of art to the required sizes by a simple mathematical calculation. Barbedienne competed with the production of Japanese and Chinese enamels, pioneering a champlevé technique. In 1850, he was commissioned to furnish the Hôtel de Paris, for which he was awarded with the medaille d'honneur at the Paris World Exhibition in 1855.