Antique 19th Century French patinated bronze by Pierre Jules Méne (French, 1810-1871), of 'Valet de Limier (The Bloodhound Handler)', the huntsman led by his dog on oval naturalistic base, signed and dated P.J. MÊNE 1879, the proper right side of the dog cast with an 'S'. This model, presented in wax at the Salon in 1879, was the last work that Mêne exhibited just prior to his death when it was registered as no. 5224 and titled 'Valet de Limier'. It was subsequently produced in the Mêne-Cain studio foundry from 1879 through to 1908 and it was also cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne during the same period when it was included in their 1894 foundry catalogue for 425 francs. The 1901 Mêne-Cain catalogue later included the model as number 7, 'Valet de Limier', offering it in the original dimension of 47cm for 360 francs. In 1908 the Susse Freres foundry subsequently offered the sculpture for 400 francs. The reverse of the dog is cast with an S, a mark that Polleti & Richarme notes may refer to the dogs of either Rallye Sivry (active 1867 through to 1880) of the Viscount Aguado, or of Rallye Servant (active 1852 through to 1894).

Literature: Bronze Sculpture of Les Animaliers, Jane Horswell, 1971, p. 103-173. Pierre-Jules Mêne, Catalogue raisonné, Polleti & Richarme, 2007, p. 31.

CONDITION:
In Great Condition - No Damage.

SIZE:
Height: 47 cm // 18.50 inches
Width: 36 cm // 14.17 inches
Depth: 20 cm // 7.87 inches