What is the history of Animalier bronze sculptures?

The Animalier movement emerged in 19th-century France, characterised by artists who specialised in realistic portrayals of animals. Sculptors like Jules Moigniez favoured accurate anatomical detail, capturing sporting dogs, wildlife, and horses in naturalistic poses.

What materials and construction methods were used for 19th-century bronzes?

19th-century bronze sculptures were predominantly cast using lost-wax or sand casting methods. The alloy consists primarily of copper mixed with tin and zinc, finished with hand-chased surface details and chemically applied patinas.

How can you identify authentic bronze sculptures from this era?

Authentic period bronzes exhibit crisp hand-chasing in the metalwork, a warm patinated finish showing subtle natural age wear, and an integrated cast signature rather than a stamped post-production addition. The overall weight should feel substantial, reflecting high copper content.

How do you style an Animalier bronze in a modern interior?

Animalier bronzes function as tactile accents on a fireplace mantelpiece, dark wood desk, or structured shelving unit. Pairing dark metal patinas with neutral textured backdrops or natural stone creates balanced visual contrast.

How should an antique bronze sculpture be cleaned and preserved?

Dust the bronze regularly with a clean, dry, soft-bristled brush or lint-free microfibre cloth. Avoid water, harsh chemical cleaners, or abrasive metal polishes, applying a thin coat of microcrystalline wax annually to protect the original patination.

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Late 19th Century Animalier Bronze Entitled "Irish Setter" by Jules Moigniez

Name: Late 19th Century Animalier Bronze Entitled "Irish Setter" by Jules Moigniez
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1208034
Price: 1850 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Hickmet Fine Arts

Description

Very fine mid 19th Century French Animalier bronze study of a standing Setter with excellent hand chased surface detail and rich brown patination. Raised on a stepped naturalistic base, signed J Moigniez.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Height: 22 cm

Width: 27 cm

Depth: 11 cm

Condition: Excellent Original Condition

Circa: 1870

Materials: Bronze

Book Ref Les Animaliers by Jane Horswell

Page no. 226

SKU: 9588

ABOUT

Jules Moigniez (French, 1835 ~ 1894) Moigniez was a French animalier sculptor of the 19th century. He worked primarily in bronze and frequently exhibited his sculptures at the Paris salon. He was best known for his bronzes depicting birds, although his skill and versatility enabled him to produce quality horse sculptures (primarily racehorses), dog sculptures and hunting scenes. His bird sculptures were among the finest ever created in his time. Moigniez was born at Senlis, Oise, France in 1835, the son of a metal gilder. Moigniez’s father bought a foundry to cast his sculptures, which was of great benefit to Moigniez as he didn’t have the added foundry costs that most of his contemporaries had to pay. Moigniez studied sculpture under the tutelage of Paul Comoléra (a student of François Rude) in Paris. It is quite likely that Moigniez’s attraction to bird sculpture was a direct result of his education under Comoléra, who was himself a bird specialist. Over the course of his 40-year sculpting career Moigniez exhibited thirty works at the Salon between 1855–92. His first submission in a major art exhibition was his plaster, Pointer Stopping at a Pheasant, at the Exposition Universelle of 1855.[1][2] Moigniez was known for the fine detail and chiseling of his sculptures. His bronzes—usually cast using the lost wax method—were always immaculately chased and patinated, and were especially popular in England and Scotland.[2] More than half of his output during his lifetime was sold in the United Kingdom. By the end of the 19th century, his sculpture had become popular in the United States as well. In contrast with other animaliers of the period such are P.J. Mêne and Antoine-Louis Barye, Moigniez’s bird sculptures often incorporated highly detailed bases complete with bushes, extensive foliage and undergrowth. His castings were generally of excellent quality with a variety of patinas, the gilded and silvered patinas being the most desirable and sought after by collectors. His bronzes could be reproached for an excess of detail, a result of overly-finicky, over-worked chiseling. Moigniez received redemption, however, by portraying in his sculpture a certain “elegance of attitudes”. His Chien braque arrêtant un faisan (1859), cast in bronze, was acquired by the French government for the château of Compiègne.

Physical Dimensions

Height

22cm (8.66")

Width

27cm (10.63")

Depth

11cm (4.33")

Declaration

Hickmet Fine Arts has dated this Bronze Irish Setter Sculpture to the 1870s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1208034

Dealers Internal Reference

9588

Dealers Notes

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Viewing can be arranged at our gallery and everything sold by Hickmet Fine Arts comes with a full certificate of Authenticity and Valuation.

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Description

fig 1. A dark brown patinated bronze sculpture depicting an Irish Setter standing on an oval naturalistic terrain base with a cast signature. — fig 1. Late 19th Century Animalier Bronze Entitled "Irish Setter" by Jules Moigniez

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Height: 22 cm

Width: 27 cm

Depth: 11 cm

Condition: Excellent Original Condition

fig 2. A dark brown patinated bronze sculpture depicting an Irish Setter standing on an oval naturalistic terrain base with a cast signature. — fig 2. Late 19th Century Animalier Bronze Entitled "Irish Setter" by Jules Moigniez

Circa: 1870

Materials: Bronze

Book Ref Les Animaliers by Jane Horswell

Page no. 226

fig 3. A dark brown patinated bronze sculpture depicting an Irish Setter standing on an oval naturalistic terrain base with a cast signature. — fig 3. Late 19th Century Animalier Bronze Entitled "Irish Setter" by Jules Moigniez

SKU: 9588

ABOUT

Jules Moigniez (French, 1835 ~ 1894) Moigniez was a French animalier sculptor of the 19th century. He worked primarily in bronze and frequently exhibited his sculptures at the Paris salon.

“

He was best known for his bronzes depicting birds, although his skill and versatility enabled him to produce quality horse sculptures (primarily racehorses), dog sculptures and hunting scenes.

Hickmet Fine Arts

His bird sculptures were among the finest ever created in his time. Moigniez was born at Senlis, Oise, France in 1835, the son of a metal gilder. Moigniez’s father bought a foundry to cast his sculptures, which was of great benefit to Moigniez as he didn’t have the added foundry costs that most of his contemporaries had to pay. Moigniez studied sculpture under the tutelage of Paul Comoléra (a student of François Rude) in Paris. It is quite likely that Moigniez’s attraction to bird sculpture was a direct result of his education under Comoléra, who was himself a bird specialist. Over the course of his 40-year sculpting career Moigniez exhibited thirty works at the Salon between 1855–92. His first submission in a major art exhibition was his plaster, Pointer Stopping at a Pheasant, at the Exposition Universelle of 1855.[1][2] Moigniez was known for the fine detail and chiseling of his sculptures. His bronzes—usually cast using the lost wax method—were always immaculately chased and patinated, and were especially popular in England and Scotland.[2] More than half of his output during his lifetime was sold in the United Kingdom. By the end of the 19th century, his sculpture had become popular in the United States as well. In contrast with other animaliers of the period such are P.J. Mêne and Antoine-Louis Barye, Moigniez’s bird sculptures often incorporated highly detailed bases complete with bushes, extensive foliage and undergrowth. His castings were generally of excellent quality with a variety of patinas, the gilded and silvered patinas being the most desirable and sought after by collectors. His bronzes could be reproached for an excess of detail, a result of overly-finicky, over-worked chiseling. Moigniez received redemption, however, by portraying in his sculpture a certain “elegance of attitudes”. His Chien braque arrêtant un faisan (1859), cast in bronze, was acquired by the French government for the château of Compiègne.

Physical Dimensions

Height

22cm (8.66")

Width

27cm (10.63")

Depth

11cm (4.33")

Date of Manufacture

Hickmet Fine Arts has dated this Bronze Irish Setter Sculpture to the 1870s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1208034