Victorian French Bronze Hunting Hound Dogs C1860 Follower of Auguste Caïn

🦴 Victorian Bronze Hound Dogs c.1860 | Follower of Auguste Caïn

🎨 Subject & medium 

Bring timeless charm and classic craftsmanship into your space with this exceptional Victorian animal bronze sculpture, dating to circa 1860. Cast in solid bronze, it depicts a noble male and female pair of hunting hound dogs, frozen in a moment of mutual focus and quiet strength.

Rich with lifelike detail and elegant form, this piece is a striking example of 19th-century French Animalier art, inspired by the work of Auguste Nicolas Caïn—one of the most celebrated animal sculptors of his time.

🧑🎨 Composition & Technique

From the natural posture to the fluid anatomy—one dog with a foreleg raised in alert grace—every element reflects skilled bronze casting and a deep understanding of animal form. The dogs are mounted on a stepped, naturalistic bronze plinth, enhancing the realism and stature of the sculpture.

Although unsigned, the style unmistakably follows the tradition of Caïn and his contemporaries.

📏 Dimensions

• Height: 22 cm

• Base Length: 51.5 cm

• Full Length (tail to base edge): 54.5 cm

• Width: 12 cm

• Weight: Under 4 kg

Perfectly sized for display on a mantle, console table, or within a curated interior collection.

📚 About Auguste Nicolas Caïn (1821–1894)

A key figure in the French Animalier school, Caïn trained under Rude, Guionnet, and his father-in-law, Pierre-Jules Mêne. He exhibited 38 pieces at the Paris Salon and is known for his lifelike portrayals of animals, both domestic and wild. His public commissions include:

• Chiens de meute at Château de Chantilly

• Le Lion de Nubie et sa proie in the Jardin du Luxembourg

• Tigress and Peacock in the Tuileries Gardens

His bronzes remain highly collectible, with works fetching up to $84,849 USD at auction.

🏛️ Provenance

• Sourced from a private farmer’s estate

• Acquired through a trusted Shire antiques dealer

• Currently part of the Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD collection

🔍 Condition

• Fine antique condition

• Rich, naturally aged bronze patina

• Light wear consistent with age and handling

• Structurally sound and visually striking

💡 Why Buy This?

✅ Timeless subject – loyal hounds captured in elegant form
✅ 19th-century craftsmanship in solid bronze
✅ Inspired by a master of Animalier art, Auguste Caïn
✅ Decorative yet historic – ideal for collectors or stylists
✅ Strong provenance and original aged finish
✅ A rare and enduring piece of Victorian sculpture

🌍 Worldwide Shipping Available
Professionally packaged and fully insured for safe international delivery.

🖼️ Available exclusively through Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD

📩 Inquire now to secure this great piece