the back pierced with a lattice and naturalistic foliage and birds above a wooden slatted seat and pierced supports,

This is a replica piece and also available through our printed catalogue. The Parisien foundry "Barbezat & Cie" was established in 1855 and took on the foundry and pattern books of J.P.V.Andre who was the designer of this "Birds & Snails""banc de jardin". Andre was acknowledged as the designer in the 1858 illustrated catalogue - he had gained much prestige by winning a medal at The Great Exhibition of 1851. "Barbezat & Cie" changed its name to "Houille & Cie" in 1867 and then to "Societe Anonyme des Hautes Forneaux et Fonderies du Val d"Osne" in 1870. (See John Davis "Antique Garden Ornament", pub. Antique Collectors Club 1991, p350 for illustration of this bench in 1858 catalogue). A reproduction of the three seater is offered by LASSCO as stock number 91100. KEYWORDS: seat, garden, lawn, benches, seating, garden furniture, chair, chairs, noteworthy maker