Ferdinand Barbedienne - Sculpture, bust Roman emperor Aulus Vitellius - Bronze - Second half 19th century

A rare 19th century sculpture in bronze depicting a Roman Emperor On a socle base, inscribed to the reverse 'F. Barbedienne. Fondeur' , Formerly from A private German collection and after sold to a gallery in Berlin. Still holding the original label of the Gallery with description and price in German handwriting. The Foundry was started in Paris in 1838 by Ferdinand Barbedienne (January 10, 1810 –March 21, 1892) was a French metalworker and manufacturer, who was well known as a bronze founder. He worked together with Achille Collas, who was the inventor of a machine that would mechanically reduce statues. They at first produced bronze reductions of antique sculptures of Greek and Roman origin. Their first contract to produce bronzes modeled by a living artist was made in 1843 when they arranged to produce the works of Francois Rude.