What is the French Animalier school of sculpture?

The Animalier movement originated in nineteenth-century France, focusing on detailed and realistic anatomical depictions of wild and domestic animals.

How were nineteenth-century bronze sculptures constructed?

Craftsmen utilised sand casting or lost-wax casting methods to form molten bronze in moulds, followed by hand-chasing details and applying chemical patination.

How can authentic bronzes from this era be identified?

Authentic period pieces display crisp hand-chiselled detailing, cast artist signatures or foundry marks integrated into the base, and age-consistent surface patination.

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

Display the sculpture as a focal accent on a mantelpiece, sideboard, or bookshelf alongside natural timber, dark stone, or leather accessories.

What is the recommended method for cleaning and preserving bronze sculptures?

Dust regularly with a soft microfibre cloth or dry brush, avoiding liquid cleaners, and apply a light coat of neutral microcrystalline wax annually to guard the patina.

for sale €3,335 $3,620

£2,850

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Bronze Animal Statue

Pierre Jules Mene Sculpture

Antique Bronze Animal Figurine

Id #SA1233324

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Late 19th Century Animalier Bronze Entitled "Reynard" by P J Mêne

Name: Late 19th Century Animalier Bronze Entitled "Reynard" by P J Mêne
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1233324
Price: 2850 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Hickmet Fine Arts

Description

An exquisite mid-19th Century Animalier bronze study of a spirited fox, beautifully modelled in a lively and alert pose. The bronze displays a fabulous rich chestnut-brown patina, subtly rubbed in areas to a warm golden hue, with excellent hand-chased surface detail throughout. Raised upon a naturalistic base and signed P J Mêne

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Height: 11 cm

Width: 26 cm

Depth: 10 cm

Condition: Excellent Original Condition

Circa: 1870

Materials: Bronze

Foundry: Atelier Mêne

Book Ref: Pierre-Jules Mene by Michel Poletti

Page No:

SKU: 9669

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.

Physical Dimensions

Height

11cm (4.33")

Width

26cm (10.24")

Depth

10cm (3.94")

Declaration

Hickmet Fine Arts has dated this Antique Bronze Fox Sculpture to the 1870s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1233324

Dealers Internal Reference

9669

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

An exquisite mid-19th Century Animalier bronze study of a spirited fox, beautifully modelled in a lively and alert pose.

“

The bronze displays a fabulous rich chestnut-brown patina, subtly rubbed in areas to a warm golden hue, with excellent hand-chased surface detail throughout.

Hickmet Fine Arts

Raised upon a naturalistic base and signed P J Mêne

fig 1. A late nineteenth-century dark brown patinated bronze sculpture depicting a snarling fox prowling across a naturalistic base. — fig 1. Late 19th Century Animalier Bronze Entitled "Reynard" by P J Mêne

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Height: 11 cm

Width: 26 cm

Depth: 10 cm

Condition: Excellent Original Condition

fig 2. A late nineteenth-century dark brown patinated bronze sculpture depicting a snarling fox prowling across a naturalistic base. — fig 2. Late 19th Century Animalier Bronze Entitled "Reynard" by P J Mêne

Circa: 1870

Materials: Bronze

Foundry: Atelier Mêne

Book Ref: Pierre-Jules Mene by Michel Poletti

fig 3. A late nineteenth-century dark brown patinated bronze sculpture depicting a snarling fox prowling across a naturalistic base. — fig 3. Late 19th Century Animalier Bronze Entitled "Reynard" by P J Mêne

Page No:

SKU: 9669

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.

fig 4. A late nineteenth-century dark brown patinated bronze sculpture depicting a snarling fox prowling across a naturalistic base. — fig 4. Late 19th Century Animalier Bronze Entitled "Reynard" 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 late nineteenth-century dark brown patinated bronze sculpture depicting a snarling fox prowling across a naturalistic base. — fig 5. Late 19th Century Animalier Bronze Entitled "Reynard" 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 late nineteenth-century dark brown patinated bronze sculpture depicting a snarling fox prowling across a naturalistic base. — fig 6. Late 19th Century Animalier Bronze Entitled "Reynard" 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.