Bronze Hunting Animal In Patinated Bronze

Elegant and powerful animal bronze depicting a hunting spaniel holding a pheasant in its mouth, a work signed by Jules Moigniez, a celebrated 19th-century French sculptor particularly renowned for his remarkably naturalistic hunting and ornithological subjects.

This emblematic composition reflects Moigniez's talent for rendering movement and textures: the nervous treatment of the coat, the delicacy of the game's plumage and the elegant, taut posture of the dog testify to a sculpture of the highest quality, typical of the artist's best models.

The work features a beautiful antique cast with a rich, nuanced medal-brown patina, with warm, golden-brown highlights particularly emphasizing the relief of the modeling. The finely animated naturalistic terrace further enhances the lively, decorative character of the whole.

Intaglio signature "J. Moigniez" on the terrace.

Very fine decorative presence for this great classic of 19th-century French animal sculpture, sought after as much for the quality of its execution as for the timeless elegance of its subject.

Very good overall presentation condition, with beautiful old patina and light wear from use contributing to the work's charm.