Animalier French Bronze 'Pheasant & Weasel' by Jules Moigniez

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: 19 cm Width: 34 cm Condition: excellent original condition Circa: 1870 Materials: bronze Book reference: Les Animaliers by Jane Horswell Page no. 237 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...

"Cheval Arabe No.3" by Pierre Jules Mene An attractive late 19th Century Animalier bronze study of an arab stallion. The bronze exhibiting excellent hand chased surface detail and g...

Pheasant and Weasel From our Sculpture collection, we are delighted to offer this French Bronze Pheasant by Jules Moigniez. The French Bronze of good scale cast with a large male Pheasant clambering upon a rocky outcrop startled by a Weasel hiding within the foliage. The Pheasant naturalistically cast with individual feathers visible, sharp claws and spurs above the foot. The Weasel sits hidden in the foliage visible from viewing the French Bronze from the side as it shocks the Pheasant. The French Bronze signed to the front left on a rock face J. Moigniez (Jules Moigniez). The bronze sculpture dates to the late 19th century belle époque period Circa 1870. Jules Moigniez (1835-1894) was born at Senlis, Oise, just north of Paris, France on the 28 May 1835 the son of a metal gilder. Moigniez studied under Paul Comoléra (1813-1890) a specialist Animalia sculptor. It is clear that Moigniez’s career in Animalia was passed down from his tutors specialism in Animalia and in particular birds. Moigniez father bought a foundry specifically to cast his son’s sculptures. This gave Moigniez a huge advantage compared to other artist as it greatly reduced his costs during manufacturing and increased productivity keeping the process in-house. Moigniez throughout his career became known for this Animalia sculptures...

Superb antique patinated bronze model of a pointer by Jules Moingiez. Outstanding cast and in pristine condition this shows a pointer at work in a most skillful way. The pointer aler...