French Antique Bronze Sculpture of Dog With Rabbit by Pierre Jules Mêne

PIERRE JULES MÊNEFrench, 1810-1879″Chien Braque Assis Gardant un Lapin” (1850)Sand-cast patinated bronze | signature captured in cast “P.J. MÊNE” | cast circa 1880, atelier Mêne-Cain (1879-1908)Item # 308LBW06P
A simplified version of Mêne’s Chien gardant du gibier of 1850, the composition was reduced to feature the same dog with a rabbit lying at his feet instead of being hung against a dead tree trunk like the former model – we may still have an example of Chien gardant du gibier still available in the gallery. It is a relatively rare cast and even those few casts are posthumous, which is likely due to its low production during Mêne’s lifetime. The model was available in the Mêne-Cain catalogue of 1901 as no. 72 (available for 55 francs in 20×25 cm) and later in the Susse catalogue of 1908, still as no. 72 and available for 70 francs. This example features the early construction methods with slotted screws and a single hand-cut nut on a threaded bolt joining the sand-cast naturalistic base to the seated dog. It is a rather early cast executed at the atelier of Mêne-Cain posthumously circa 1880 and it features an overall dark brown patina with hints of caramel and lighter tones; the base is signed in the typical manner “P.J. MÊNE” with a slight raised ridge around the letters.
Artist Listings & Bibliography:
* Pierre-Jules Mêne, Catalogue raisonné, Poletti & Richarme, 2007, p. 98, fig. CHI 12
Measurements: 7 7/8″ H x 9 5/8″ W x 5 1/4″ D
Condition Report:Trace wear to the patina on the reverse of the dog (his back shoulder, a bit along the ridge of his back, his calf), the tip of his nose, hints of verdigris in crevices, points of rubbing to patina on high relief; carefully cleaned and sealed in wax, a fine presentation.