Antique Bronzed Spelter Pointer Dog Sculpture After Pierre-Jules Mêne

This is a bronze-finished spelter sculpture of a pointer hunting dog, based on the 19th-century model Chien Braque (Marly), or Marly, the Pointer, by French sculptor Pierre-Jules Mêne (1810–1879).

Mêne was one of the foremost French animal sculptors of the 19th century and was particularly admired for his naturalistic portrayals of horses and dogs. His original Marly model depicts an alert pointer standing at attention with one forepaw raised, its head turned upward as though it has just caught the scent of game. The model was exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1867.

This later version follows Mêne's composition closely, including the dog's muscular stance, raised paw, long tail and collar, together with the richly modelled naturalistic base of leaves, branches and undergrowth. The surface has a bronze-coloured finish with darker patination, giving the figure the appearance of an aged bronze.

The sculpture is made of spelter or a similar cast white metal rather than bronze and is not represented as an original Mêne casting. It is unmarked.

There is a crack through the base, visible on both sides. On one side the crack continues upward onto the top of the base, as shown in the photographs; the remainder of the crack is largely concealed within the heavily modelled surface. Despite this, the sculpture remains intact and stable and displays very well as it is. There is also expected wear, darkening and variation to the bronzed finish consistent with age, which is not undesirable.

Age: circa 1900 to 1915

Origin: unmarked, but most likely France

Measurements:

Length: 12 inches

Height: 7 7/8 inches

Depth at base: 3 3/4 inches

Weight: 4 pounds 13 ounces

A substantial and very decorative sporting sculpture, particularly appealing for a collection of hunting, pointer dog, sporting or animalier art.