{"product_id":"french-bronze-group-hunting-hound-dogs-c1860-animalier-school","title":"French Bronze Group Hunting Hound Dogs c1860 Animalier School","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePair of Antique Bronze Hunting Hounds, circa 1860 – French Animalier School\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn Engaging Mid-19th-Century Bronze Study of Two Alert Hunting Dogs\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHighlights\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFine antique bronze sculpture dating to circa 1860\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePair of hunting hounds modelled in an animated encounter\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrench Animalier school \/ 19th-century French animal sculpture tradition\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne hound depicted with a raised foreleg in an alert pose\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNaturalistic anatomical modelling and expressive character\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIntegral stepped bronze base with naturalistic ground treatment\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnsigned\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStrong stylistic affinity with the hunting-animal sculpture of Auguste Nicolas Caïn (1821–1894)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom a private farmer’s collection\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSubsequently acquired through a Shire antiques dealer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCurated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSupplied with a Certificate of Sale \u0026amp; Dealer Attribution from Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn evocative pair of antique bronze hunting hounds dating to approximately 1860 and belonging to the wider tradition of French nineteenth-century Animalier sculpture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two dogs are positioned in an engaging exchange, facing one another with an unusual combination of alertness, restraint and movement. One raises a foreleg, lending the composition a momentary, almost conversational quality, while the opposing animal remains attentive and watchful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExecuted in cast bronze, the sculpture combines naturalistic anatomy with a decorative sense of composition. The figures rise from an integral stepped bronze base incorporating naturalistic modelling, enhancing the impression of a sculpted outdoor setting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnsigned and therefore not safely attributable to a named sculptor, the work nevertheless possesses a strong stylistic affinity with the celebrated French Animalier tradition and, in particular, the hunting-animal sculpture associated with Auguste Nicolas Caïn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCatalogue Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTitle: Pair of Hunting Hounds\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDate: Circa 1860\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSchool: French Animalier\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedium: Cast bronze\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSubject: Hunting dogs\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSignature: Unsigned\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeriod: Mid-19th Century \/ Victorian\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDimensions: Approximately 22 cm high × 51.5 cm base length × 12 cm wide\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall Length: Approximately 54.5 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeight: Under 4 kg\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCatalogue Note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe charm of this sculpture lies in its depiction of interaction rather than simple animal portraiture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two hounds are carefully balanced against one another, their heads directed towards each other and their bodies arranged to create a compact yet animated composition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe raised foreleg of the more active hound introduces movement and anticipation, while the second animal provides a stabilising counterpoint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParticular attention has been paid to the anatomical construction of the dogs, including the shoulders, limbs, ribcage and heads. The modelling of the ears, tails and facial features further enhances the impression of alert hunting animals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe integral stepped bronze base is an important component of the composition, providing both physical support and a naturalistic setting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Artist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis sculpture is catalogued as an \u003cstrong\u003eunsigned work within the French Animalier tradition\u003c\/strong\u003e rather than a definitive work by a named artist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts treatment of hunting hounds is strongly evocative of the work of \u003cstrong\u003eAuguste Nicolas Caïn (1821–1894)\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the foremost French animal sculptors of the nineteenth century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCaïn became particularly celebrated for dynamic depictions of hunting animals and wildlife, combining close observation of anatomy with movement and dramatic interaction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stylistic relationship is therefore significant, but in the absence of a signature, documentary provenance or other conclusive evidence, the present work is not attributed directly to Caïn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom a private farmer’s collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSubsequently acquired through a Shire antiques dealer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCurated and currently offered by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeight: approximately 22 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBase length: approximately 51.5 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall length: approximately 54.5 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWidth: approximately 12 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeight: under 4 kg\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sculpture is presented in fine antique condition consistent with its circa 1860 date.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bronze retains an attractive aged patina with surface wear, minor marks and abrasions associated with age, historic handling and display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe work appears structurally sound and retains strong definition to the modelling of the hounds and integral base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe aged surface and patina are integral to the character of the sculpture and have not been artificially modernised for presentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe accompanying photographs provide a detailed visual record of the present condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProfessional UK and worldwide delivery can be arranged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sculpture will be professionally packaged for secure transportation, with specialist insured delivery available where required.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCertificate of Sale \u0026amp; Dealer Attribution\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale \u0026amp; Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, recording the artwork’s catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, and details of the sale. This document accompanies the work as part of its ongoing ownership and provenance record.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttribution and Research\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe historical observations, provenance research, attribution analysis and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. They are offered in good faith as informed scholarly assessments based upon the available evidence, comparative research, published reference material and our experience within the international fine art market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese observations should be understood as professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact or guarantees of authorship, attribution, date, origin, provenance or historical interpretation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe present sculpture is unsigned and is therefore catalogued as a work within the French Animalier tradition with stylistic affinity to Auguste Nicolas Caïn, rather than as a definitively attributed work by Caïn. Future documentary discoveries, technical examination or further comparative research may refine the current assessment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpecialising in carefully curated British and European fine art, antiques and historic works of art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery artwork is professionally researched and catalogued using comparative scholarship, published reference material and more than two decades of experience within the international fine art market. We are committed to offering collectors works of artistic and historical merit accompanied by transparent provenance research, detailed catalogue descriptions and professional, client-focused service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditional photographs and further information are available upon request.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55309542752634,"sku":"CAC-SK-0369","price":6250.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0201\/2227\/1808\/files\/huntingdogsgroup.jpg?v=1745663542","url":"https:\/\/cheshireantiquesconsultantltd.com\/de-euaustria\/products\/french-bronze-group-hunting-hound-dogs-c1860-animalier-school","provider":"Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD","version":"1.0","type":"link"}