What is the French Animalier school of sculpture?

The Animalier movement emerged in 19th-century France, defined by artists who specialised in the accurate anatomical depicting of animals, particularly horses, dogs, and wildlife, capturing naturalistic poses and motion in cast bronze.

How were 19th-century bronze sculptures constructed?

Most bronzes from this era were cast using either the lost-wax (cire perdue) or sand casting method. After casting, skilled craftsmen hand-chased the metal to refine details before applying chemical patinas using heat and metal salts to achieve specific surface colours.

How do you identify authentic period bronze sculptures?

Authentic pieces feature crisp hand-chased details in the fur, mane, and base, an integrated or clearly matched cast signature, natural surface wear along high points, and appropriate weight consistent with solid bronze casting.

How do you style a bronze animalier sculpture in a modern interior?

Place the sculpture on a dark mahogany desk, a stone fireplace mantelpiece, or alongside bound volumes in a bookshelf to add tactile depth, historical contrast, and architectural interest to contemporary rooms.

How should an antique bronze sculpture be cleaned and maintained?

Dust regularly using a soft microfibre cloth or dry soft-bristled brush. Protect the original chemical patination by applying a thin coat of clear microcrystalline wax once a year, avoiding liquid polishes, water, or abrasive cleaners.

for sale €1,346 $1,461

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Bronze Animalier Figure

19th Century Bronze Horse

Pierre Jules Mene Sculpture

Id #SA1051527

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Late 19th Century Animalier Bronze Sculpture "Cheval Arabe No.3" by Pierre Jules

Name: Late 19th Century Animalier Bronze Sculpture "Cheval Arabe No.3" by Pierre Jules
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1051527
Price: 1150 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Hickmet Fine Arts

Description

An attractive late 19th Century Animalier bronze study of an arab stallion. The bronze exhibiting excellent hand chased surface detail and good rich colour, raised on naturalistic base and signed P J Mêne.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Height: 11 cm

Width: 13 cm

Depth: 5 cm

Condition: Excellent Original Condition

Circa: 1890

Materials: Bronze

Book Ref: Pierre-Jules Mene by Michel Poletti

Page No: 63

SKU: 9024

ABOUT

P J Mene, French 1810 ~ 1879

Pierre Jules Mêne is probably the best known of the French Animaliers School and his bronzes are today among the most highly prized in this genre. Surrounded as we are by disturbance and even violence, collectors of his work can find relaxation and enjoyment in contemplating the innate grace and beauty of his sculpture.

Beginning in 1838 Mêne worked at his own foundry, casting first his own works and later also those of his son-in-law Auguste Cain. He became absorbed in the meticulous work of casting and chiselling and ensured that during his lifetime the bronzes that were cast were always checked for quality, colour and finish before they were allowed to leave the foundry.

As a regular exhibitor at the Salon des Beaux-Arts many of Mêne’s subjects were shown to the general public in this popular showcase where acclaim and criticism could be judged before including the subject in his general Ouevre. This also served to establish public awareness of his new works and provides a useful reference when dating the origin of a particular cast. As a further point of reference Mêne produced a catalogue of all his works and each of his models has an identifiable catalogue number.

After Mêne’s death in 1879 the Barbedienne and Susse Frères foundries acquired the rights to reproduce his many of his important models and these posthumous casts are marked F Barbedienne Fondeur and Susse Frères fondeur editeur respectively. These bronzes are of a fine quality and are cast by the leading bronze foundries in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, however they do not have the vitality and attention to detail that Mêne achieved on the casts from his own foundry.

Physical Dimensions

Height

11cm (4.33")

Width

13cm (5.12")

Depth

5cm (1.97")

Declaration

Hickmet Fine Arts has dated this Antique Bronze Horse Sculpture to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1051527

Dealers Internal Reference

9024

Dealers Notes

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Description

An attractive late 19th Century Animalier bronze study of an arab stallion.

“

The bronze exhibiting excellent hand chased surface detail and good rich colour, raised on naturalistic base and signed P J Mêne.

Hickmet Fine Arts

fig 1. A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting a standing Arabian horse on a textured ground base. — fig 1. Late 19th Century Animalier Bronze Sculpture "Cheval Arabe No.3" by Pierre Jules

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Height: 11 cm

Width: 13 cm

Depth: 5 cm

Condition: Excellent Original Condition

fig 2. A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting a standing Arabian horse on a textured ground base. — fig 2. Late 19th Century Animalier Bronze Sculpture "Cheval Arabe No.3" by Pierre Jules

Circa: 1890

Materials: Bronze

Book Ref: Pierre-Jules Mene by Michel Poletti

Page No: 63

fig 3. A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting a standing Arabian horse on a textured ground base. — fig 3. Late 19th Century Animalier Bronze Sculpture "Cheval Arabe No.3" by Pierre Jules

SKU: 9024

ABOUT

P J Mene, French 1810 ~ 1879

Pierre Jules Mêne is probably the best known of the French Animaliers School and his bronzes are today among the most highly prized in this genre. Surrounded as we are by disturbance and even violence, collectors of his work can find relaxation and enjoyment in contemplating the innate grace and beauty of his sculpture.

fig 4. A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting a standing Arabian horse on a textured ground base. — fig 4. Late 19th Century Animalier Bronze Sculpture "Cheval Arabe No.3" by Pierre Jules

Beginning in 1838 Mêne worked at his own foundry, casting first his own works and later also those of his son-in-law Auguste Cain. He became absorbed in the meticulous work of casting and chiselling and ensured that during his lifetime the bronzes that were cast were always checked for quality, colour and finish before they were allowed to leave the foundry.

fig 5. A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting a standing Arabian horse on a textured ground base. — fig 5. Late 19th Century Animalier Bronze Sculpture "Cheval Arabe No.3" by Pierre Jules

As a regular exhibitor at the Salon des Beaux-Arts many of Mêne’s subjects were shown to the general public in this popular showcase where acclaim and criticism could be judged before including the subject in his general Ouevre. This also served to establish public awareness of his new works and provides a useful reference when dating the origin of a particular cast. As a further point of reference Mêne produced a catalogue of all his works and each of his models has an identifiable catalogue number.

fig 6. A nineteenth-century dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting a standing Arabian horse on a textured ground base. — fig 6. Late 19th Century Animalier Bronze Sculpture "Cheval Arabe No.3" by Pierre Jules

After Mêne’s death in 1879 the Barbedienne and Susse Frères foundries acquired the rights to reproduce his many of his important models and these posthumous casts are marked F Barbedienne Fondeur and Susse Frères fondeur editeur respectively. These bronzes are of a fine quality and are cast by the leading bronze foundries in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, however they do not have the vitality and attention to detail that Mêne achieved on the casts from his own foundry.