"Valet de Limier" | Pierre Jules Mene, cast by F. Barbedienne

PIERRE JULES MENE
French, 1810-1879

"Valet de Limier" (1879)

Patinated bronze | Signed in cast "P.J. MÊNE", incised "F. BARBEDIENNE FONDEUR" to base | cast circa 1890-1910

Item # 109LWK22S  This was the last piece Mêne exhibited as a wax model presented at Salon in 1879; it was registered as no. 5224 and was titled Valet de Limier. It was produced subsequently in the Mêne-Cain atelier from 1879 through 1908 and was also cast by F. Barbedienne during that period, included in their 1894 catalogue for 425 francs. The Mêne-Cain catalogue of 1901 included this model as number 7, Valet de Limier, offering it in the original dimension of 47 cm for 360 francs. In 1908, Susse put forth a catalogue titled put forth by Susse Freres titled Collection compléte des Bronzes d'Art de P.-J. Méne et de Aug. Cain, Sujets de Chasse - Animaux which included the sculpture for 400 francs. 

A complex group depicting a bloodhound dog and his handler, the present model highlights Méne's exceptional ability to capture human and animal subjects with equal affect. His "Valet" is exceptionally well-modeled with the minute detail in the figure's vest, buttons, cross-body sword harness and ribbon around his cap fully represented. The present casting was executed by the foundry of Ferdinand Barbedienne circa 1890. The valet holds in his hand a cluster of oak branches and leaves while leading the dog, his body fully engaged with a scent along the naturalistic base. The reverse of the dog is cast with an S, a mark that Polleti & Richarme note may refer to the dogs of either Rallye Sivry (active 1867 through 1880) of the Viscount Aguado, or of Rallye Servant (active 1852 through 1894) Artist Listings & Bibliography: Bronzes of the Nineteenth Century, A Dictionary of Sculptors, Pierre Kjellberg, p. 469-486, present example pictured f. 1 p. 471 Bronze Sculpture of Les Animaliers, Jane Horswell, 1971, p. 103-173, present example p. 171 Pierre-Jules Mêne, Catalogue raisonné, Polleti & Richarme, 2007, p. 31, cat. no. f4, ill. 19 Market results on this model: Sotheby's, New York, 29 November 2007, Sale N08369, lot 78, signed "P.J. MÊNE" (subsequent dating of 1879 absent in same manner as the present example), achieved $ 13,750 USD Doyle, New York, 12 February 2008, lot 2064A, model missing portion of leash, signed "P.J. MÊNE 1879", achieved $ 11,000 USD Christie's, London, 14 November 2018, lot 724, a posthumous model missing leash and with extensive patina damage/wear, achieved 6250 GBP (approximately $ 8,000 USD at prevailing 1.2822 conversion rate time of sale) Bonhams, London, 11 January 2011, lot 177, a posthumous model cast by Susse Freres circa 1908-1939, achieved 4400 GBP (approximately $ 8450 USD at prevailing 1.57 conversion rate time of sale)
Measurements: 18 1/2" H x 14 1/2" W x 8 5/8" D Condition Report:
A finely preserved original patina. Very light handling wear to surfaces. Leash is a very old replacement using a frayed wire. No observed flaws.