French Animal Sculptures

Plaster bull head from a French Butcher's shop.

Majolica sealife platter Vallauris, circa 1950. High relief of a fish, seaweeds, shells, crab, oysters. Nautical style. 9.3 inches diameter  

This beautiful cow head bust was crafted in France circa 1960. The hand carved sculpture made of iron, features a realistic bull head with two large horns and a metal ring through th...

Beautiful Mid-Century hippopotamus sculpture crafted in France. The detailed leather figure is in excellent condition and adorns a rich patinated finish. the hippo's mouth is open an...

This 20th Century French Concrete Sculpture exudes a character that is both rustic and elegant. Sculpted with care, the bird form stands pro...

Rembrandt Bugatti's striking bronze depicts a pair of elegant white storks. The male stork, positioned on the left, gently rests its head upon its soft breast while tucking one of it...

Capture the essence of majesty and strength with this Antique 1900s French Lion Plaster Sculpture. Standing in a dark finish, the sculpture portrays the re...

Baccarat black glass polar bear, sleekly modeled, the polished glass bear on all four paws, etched to underside or front left paw with signature "...

Radiating an aura of feline charm and innocence, this 20th-century French Carved Wooden Cat Decoration captures the essence of a cat in a sphinx posi...

Embrace the regal allure of this 20th-century French Carved Wooden Cat Decoration, portraying the elegance of a Sphinx cat. Crafted with precision an...

Gracefully poised in a sphinx position, this 20th-century French Carved Wooden Cat Decoration captivates with its arched back and distinct facial fea...

Exuding antique charm, this 20th-century French Carved Wooden Cat Decoration emulates the regal posture of a sphinx with its gracefully arched back. ...

Capturing the essence of feline grace, this 20th-century French Carved Wooden Cat Decoration radiates charm and whimsy. Crafted with intricate detail...

Invite a touch of feline whimsy into your space with this 20th-century French Carved Wooden Cat Decoration. Meticulously crafted, this delightful cat...

A large-sized Mid-century white glazed ceramic figure representing a naturalistic pig. Finely detailed with glass eyes. France, circa 1940s. Vintage Ceramic And Porcelain Figurines And Statues For Home Decor, Mid Century Animal...

Cast bronze prancing greyhound by Pierre Jules Mene, (1810-1879). The highly detailed bronze rests on a back granite base. Impressed signature, PJ Mene. No foundry mark, but this was...

PIERRE-JULES MÊNE French, 1810-1879 Renard Debout Sand-cast and patinated bronze signed in cast base "P.J. MENE" probably atelier Mêne-Cain circa 1880 Item # 309XLA22K An ende...

Decorate a garden, a lodge or a ranch with this lovely antique horse sculpture. Carved in France circa 1920 and once prominently displayed on the grounds of a chateau in Normandy, th...

PIERRE LENORDEZ French, 1815-1892 "Monarque" Patinated sand-cast bronze Signed in cast "P. Lenordez" foundry inscription for Duplan et Salles cast circa 1870 Item # 305BHE24A An unusually fine example of Lenordez's work, he modeled Monarque with a surface ahead of its time through a marriage of exacting technical representation of the proud stallion and a modernistic mottled texturing of the body that is tangible. The viewer can almost feel the stylus in the artist's hand as it feverishly works the body to push and shape the wax, scuffing and scraping the skin of the horse in a chaotic fervor. This has been captured with utmost integrity by the renowned house of Duplan et Salles, the quality of the sand-casting simply above reproach with crisp replication of the artist's intent evident in every quarter. Typical of Lenordez, the towel tossed on the ground records the important details on the subject, noting: "Monarque!! né en 1852, par the Baron the Emperor ou Sting Poetess par Royal oak vainqueur de 21 prix...

A wooden sculpture of a horse made in 19th century France. A horse mid-gallop has been frozen in time by the immaculate sculpting of 19th century artisans. I...

A ceramic decoration from 1960s France in the shape of an elephant. Glazed in a murky umber hue laced with powder blue and yellow ochre; the saddle, seat and blanket are delicately p...

A ceramic decoration from 1960s France in the shape of an elephant. Glazed in a celadon hue laced with powder blue and yellow ochre; the saddle, seat and blanket are delicately patte...

This is a Lalique Crystal “Zella” Black Panther sculpture. It depicts an elongated black color mysterious panther with multiple concave spots t...

ARY JEAN LÉON BITTER French, 1883-1973 The Greyhound and The Cat Lost-wax cast and patinated bronze signed in base "ary Bitter" and sealed with Susse cachet, signed in cast "cire purdue", signed "Susse Frs. Ets. Paris" Item # 304LJP22P A very scarce example of Bitter's work, this fluid and beautifully captured model depicts of a showdown between a greyhound and a household cat. The freshness of the mold it was captured from is self-evident with a nearly total absence of any notable cold-tooling throughout the surfaces. The signature is sharp to the touch, raised as if Bitter's stylus has only just shaped the wax of the model it was cast from. The untouched original surface patina is brilliant with a chaotic interplay of colors from vivid verdigris to autumnal browns and oranges. Edited by the house of Susse and cast with the lost-wax method. Ary Jean Léon Bitter Born in Marseilles, France on May 29th of 1883, Ary Jean Léon Bitter began his studies under the guidance of Emile Aldebert...

A fantastic early 19th century Delft figure of a lion. The lion has an exuberant mane, is sitting on its haunches, with a long tail curled over its hind q...

A late 19th century equestrian bronze of thoroughbred racehorse with saddle by Jules Moigniez (1835-1894) signed "J. MOIGNIEZ" on the bronze base and...

A pair of French patinated bronze models of whippets France, 1960s A rare find, each one realistically cast and modeled, a true pair, the female facing right, the male facing left....

Mellerio Paris, A French Gold, Diamond, Silver-Gilt, Rock-Crystal, Obsidian & Lapis Horse An extremely rare and unique, one of a kind French gold, diamonds, Silver-gilt rock-crystal, obsidian and lapis lazuli jeweled sculpture "Bucéphale, Chevaux de légende", "Bucephalus, A Legendary Horse" by Mellerio, Paris, circa 1998. Sitting on black obsidian base, the solid rock crystal slab is finely applied with a lapis lazuli half-horse with harness mounted in 18k gold and brilliant cut diamonds, between two crystal and lapis lazuli columns adorned with gold and diamonds, insert with 7 ruby cabochons and 1 emerald cabochon, the obsidian base with a plaque engraved: CHEVAUX DE LEGENDE / MELLERIO DITS MELLER / PARIS / 5029 DIV Bucephalus (c355-326 BC) is among the most famous horses in history, and it was said that this he could not be tamed. The young Alexander the Great, of course, tamed him – and went on to ride his beloved equine companion for many years and into many battles. The piece is in excellent condition and comes with a custom made wood case made for transport. It's very elegant and has French hallmarks throughout. A truly magnificent piece. Measures 10" high x 9" wide x 4" deep Founded in France in 1613 by the descendants of Italian immigrants from the Vigezzo Valley in the north of Italy, Mellerio is one of the oldest jewellery houses in Europe. The family business soon attracted the attention of the Royal Court and Marie Antoinette herself reportedly purchased a precious bracelet featuring 7 cameos surrounded by rubies in 1780. Later on, in the 19th century, Mellerio became the official supplier of the French Royal family and the Court of Netherland. Mellerio creates many jewellery items, all set with rare gems such as peridots, amethysts, aquamarines, citrines and topaz, applying for a patent, the flexible stem, a very supple and light jewellery mechanism. Mellerio remains also well known for their spectacular series of Art Nouveau jewels, created at the beginning of the 20th century, as well as for the creation of trophies rewarding some of the greatest footfall and tennis players of history. In 1993, the jewellery house launched their first watch collection. Today, Mellerio has stores in Paris, Japan and Hong Kong. July 14, 1789: this date is known throughout the world as the beginning of the French Revolution. According to a ledger belonging to House of Mellerio, this was also the day that the jeweler sold a golden key to the Comte de Coutance for 10 livres. This ledger, as well as inventories dating as far back as 1768, are the jeweler’s oldest archives. These archives have continued to grow over the years, as the House, established on rue de la Paix in Paris, still lives on today, still in the hands of the same family from Craveggia, in the North of Italy. The tumultuous history of the Mellerio family in France probably goes as far back as the Italian wars of the Renaissance, but the first official document proving their commercial activity in Paris dates back to 1613. This document is the famous royal warrant awarded by Marie de Medici to a number of Italian families established along the rue des Lombards, including the Mellerios, allowing them to sell “small jewelery items”, therefore granting them a small exception to the traditional monopoly enjoyed by Parisian jewelers. At that time, powerful corporations regulated the operations and customs of Parisian business, but thanks to this exceptional warrant, the Mellerios managed to escape the confines of this framework. Today, this wax-sealed document is kept at the city hall of Craveggia. From 1613 to the Revolution, the Mellerios lived between France and Italy. The corporations tried many times to put an end to their trade privileges, but all in vain, as a dynasty of sovereigns renewed the warrant. Always marrying and often retiring in Craveggia, the Mellerios continued to maintain their jewelry business in Paris. At first, they did this without a shop. Wearing backpacks (wooden boxes divided into small compartments where jewels were kept), they would tour town fairs around Paris and royal castles. This is how Jean-Baptiste Mellerio (1765-1850) is said to have sold a bracelet set with rubies and Antique cameos to Marie-Antoinette, which still exists today. Many elements seem to prove the veracity of this anecdote. The queen was particularly fond of cameos, which cover the entire background of her famous jewelry cabinet, and ruby was her favorite stone after diamond. The famous bracelet, reacquired a few years ago by the House of Mellerio, is indeed an 18th century jewel, set with antique cameos representing the profiles of Roman emperors. Two branches of the family were operating in Paris during this time, under the reign of Louis XVI: that of Jean-François (1746-1828), the paternal ancestor of the current Mellerios, and that of Jean-Baptiste (1765-1850). The French Revolution forced them to return to Italy. However, both Jean-Baptiste and François Mellerio (1772-1843), who was the son of Jean-François, were eventually able to return to Paris after the founding of the Consulate. Jean-Baptiste opened a shop at the Iron Crown of rue Vivienne, and François opened his at the Palais des Tuileries, rue du Coq Saint-Honoré. His well-organized order books give an idea of his high-ranking clientele during the “Old Regime”, among which were the Comte and Comtesse Octave de Segur, the Marquise (later Duchess) de Tourzel, former governess of the royal children, and her daughter, the Comtesse de Bearn, the Craufurds -who organized the flight to Varennes, the Duc and Duchess de Gramont, the Comtesse de Boigne, and Madame de Souza, Talleyrand’s mistress. We also see the names of the imperial family: Empress Josephine, the Queen of Holland, Princess Elisa, Caroline and Pauline. At that time, the House of Mellerio specialized, among other things, in the trade of antique cameos, a newly fashionable genre of jewel that captured the imagination of all the princesses and noble women of the time. The years of the Restauration and July Monarchy were among the most glorious. The Bourbons were back on the throne, and the clientele of the House of Mellerio had regained its former wealth. Mellerio supplied Louis-Philippe, Duke of Orléans, as well as his mother, wife and sister, with sumptuous jewels, including a set of emeralds made piece by piece, while the Duke of Bourbon, last prince of the House of Condé, offered diamonds to his mistress, the scheming Baronne de Feucheres, and Monsieur de LaFayette also bought cameos for one of his granddaughters. For the first time, Mellerio ventured into the world of arts in 1815, when Carlotta Grisi, a famous dancer who created Giselle, as well as an actress named Rachel, bought jewels at the Mellerio store on rue de la Paix. 1848 marked a new turning point. France once again became a Republic. François Mellerio handed the company over to his son, Jean, and the latter decided to travel to Spain to build a new clientele. He later became one of the jewelers of the royal family, and met Eugénie de Montijo, who remained a faithful client when she became empress of the French people. The Imperial years were lavish. During the Second Empire, Paris was a pageant of crinoline dresses designed by Worth, while jewels by Mellerio, Worth’s neighbour on the rue de la Paix, adorned the noble women of the Tuileries court. The Empress bought pearls. Mathilde Bonaparte...

Pierre-Jules Mêne, French, 1810-1879 Three dogs burrowing ‘Chase au Lapin’ French sculptor and animalière. He is considered one of the pioneers of animal ...

Large Enchanting French Victorian style multicolored Majolica terra cotta figure of a monkey sculpture dressed up playing the harp seated on a double turquoise tasselled floor pillow...

Lalique frosted tiger sculpture showing with its postures and gesture why in Chinese culture it’s considered the king of all beast. It also symbolizes strength and confidence.

From France, comes this absolutely stunning driftwood sculpture a horse in a state of high emotion. The horse has his mouth open wide, with his upper lip slightly curled, mane flyin...

French Mid-Century (1980/90s) limited edition crystal figure of a stylized seated dog with the head to the side (signed R RIGOT, BACCARAT)

Bronze stylized sculpture of a stork holding a branch in the beak, with additional branch detailing below and on hooved feet.