What is the French Animalier movement?

Originating in 19th-century France, the Animalier movement was an artistic style defined by realistic, anatomically precise portrayals of animals, spearheaded by sculptors such as Pierre-Jules Mene and Antoine-Louis Barye.

How were 19th-century French bronze sculptures constructed?

These sculptures were typically cast using the lost-wax or sand-casting method before being hand-chased to refine delicate details and finished with a chemical patina to achieve rich dark hues.

How can an authentic Pierre-Jules Mene bronze sculpture be identified?

Authentic pieces generally feature crisp cold-working and anatomical accuracy, a cast signature embedded in the base, and age-appropriate wear to the patination rather than uniform modern dark coatings.

How can a bronze animalier sculpture be styled in a modern interior?

A small bronze sculpture can be displayed on a dark wood mantelpiece, placed atop a stack of books on a side table, or styled within a bookshelf display to add historic character.

What is the best way to clean and preserve an antique bronze sculpture?

Dust should be removed regularly with a soft, lint-free cloth or camel-hair brush, followed by an occasional thin application of clear microcrystalline wax to protect the surface from oxidisation.

for sale €450 $489

£385

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Mid 19th Century French Animalier Bronze "Greyhound" by P J Mêne

Name: Mid 19th Century French Animalier Bronze "Greyhound" by P J Mêne
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1221423
Price: 385 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Hickmet Fine Arts

Description

A very fine mid 19th Century French Animaliers small bronze study of a standing Greyhound with excellent textured surface detail intricately hand finished with fine rich dark and golden brown patina, raised on an itegral base and signed P J Mene

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Height: 6 cm

Width: 8 cm

Condition: Excellent Condition with slight wear to patina

Circa: 1860

Materials: Bronze

Book Ref Pierre-Jules Mêne Catalogue Raisonée

SKU: 9566

ABOUT

P J Mene, French 1810 ~ 1879

P.J.Mene 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.

Hickmet Fine Arts

Established in 1936, Hickmet Fine Arts is an international family run business and one of the world’s most important dealers in original Art Deco and Art Nouveau Antique Sculpture and Art Glass. We are located at Gallery 85 on London's famous Portobello Road where we offer a fine range of sculpture, glass and works of art from the 19th and 20th Centuries by the most famous sculptors and artists from this period.

Physical Dimensions

Height

6cm (2.36")

Width

8cm (3.15")

Depth

3cm (1.18")

Declaration

Hickmet Fine Arts has dated this French Animalier Bronze Greyhound to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1221423

Dealers Internal Reference

9566

Dealers Notes

Please contact us for a shipping quotes.

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

If you have enjoyed seeing this item and wish to see more quality pieces please visit our website www.hickmet.com

Description

fig 1. A mid-19th-century French bronze sculpture depicting a standing greyhound with a dark patinated finish on an oval base. — fig 1. Mid 19th Century French Animalier Bronze "Greyhound" by P J Mêne

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Height: 6 cm

Width: 8 cm

Condition: Excellent Condition with slight wear to patina

fig 2. A mid-19th-century French bronze sculpture depicting a standing greyhound with a dark patinated finish on an oval base. — fig 2. Mid 19th Century French Animalier Bronze "Greyhound" by P J Mêne

Circa: 1860

Materials: Bronze

Book Ref Pierre-Jules Mêne Catalogue Raisonée

SKU: 9566

fig 3. A mid-19th-century French bronze sculpture depicting a standing greyhound with a dark patinated finish on an oval base. — fig 3. Mid 19th Century French Animalier Bronze "Greyhound" by P J Mêne

ABOUT

P J Mene, French 1810 ~ 1879

P.J.

“

Mene is probably the best known of the French Animaliers School and his bronzes are today among the most highly prized in this genre.

Hickmet Fine Arts

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 mid-19th-century French bronze sculpture depicting a standing greyhound with a dark patinated finish on an oval base. — fig 4. Mid 19th Century French Animalier Bronze "Greyhound" by P J Mêne

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 mid-19th-century French bronze sculpture depicting a standing greyhound with a dark patinated finish on an oval base. — fig 5. Mid 19th Century French Animalier Bronze "Greyhound" by P J Mêne

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 mid-19th-century French bronze sculpture depicting a standing greyhound with a dark patinated finish on an oval base. — fig 6. Mid 19th Century French Animalier Bronze "Greyhound" by P J Mêne

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.

fig 7. A mid-19th-century French bronze sculpture depicting a standing greyhound with a dark patinated finish on an oval base. — fig 7. Mid 19th Century French Animalier Bronze "Greyhound" by P J Mêne

Hickmet Fine Arts

Established in 1936, Hickmet Fine Arts is an international family run business and one of the world’s most important dealers in original Art Deco and Art Nouveau Antique Sculpture and Art Glass. We are located at Gallery 85 on London's famous Portobello Road where we offer a fine range of sculpture, glass and works of art from the 19th and 20th Centuries by the most famous sculptors and artists from this period.

Physical Dimensions

Height

6cm (2.36")

Width

8cm (3.15")

Depth

3cm (1.18")

Date of Manufacture

Hickmet Fine Arts has dated this French Animalier Bronze Greyhound to the 1860s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1221423