The Bellowing Stag (Le Cerf Bramant)
Sculpture, decorative figure • Attributed to or after Antoine-Louis Barye or Prosper Lecourtier; notable Animalier school influence.
Style & Movement
Animalier (Realistic Animal Sculpture) / Romanticism / Naturalism
Medium & Technique
Cast silver or silver-plated bronze (electroplate), utilizing lost-wax casting and hand-finishing techniques for textural detail.
Creation Period
Late 19th to early 20th Century (likely Victorian/Edwardian period, circa 1880-1910)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 30-40 cm in length, horizontal bronze format.
Subject Description
A majestic Red Deer stag captured in a naturalistic pose, head tilted back as if bellowing during the rut. The composition emphasizes anatomical accuracy, with detailed rendering of the mane, musculature, and twelve-point antlers, standing on a rocky integral rectangular base.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good; exhibit some tarnishing and surface wear consistent with age.
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 - $3,500 USD (depending on whether it is solid silver or silver-plate)
Auction Estimate
$1,200 - $2,800 USD
Provenance History
Likely a private estate acquisition; typical of high-end hunting lodge or manor house decor common in the UK and Europe. Marks on the base (not fully visible) might indicate a specific foundry like Barbedienne.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the peak of the 19th-century French 'Animalier' movement which elevated animal sculpture to high art. Such pieces were widely collected by the European aristocracy to symbolize strength, nature, and the hunt.
Notable Features
Fine textural contrast between the 'hair' of the stag and the 'ruggedness' of the base. The high-polish finish suggests a luxury finish intended for interior mantel or table display.
Condition Issues
Minor oxidation/tarnish in crevices, light surface scratching, and potential pitting on the silver layers if plated. One antler tip may have a slight distortion from impact.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning with non-abrasive silver polish, followed by a coat of microcrystalline wax (Renaissance Wax) to prevent further oxidation. Display in a climate-controlled environment away from direct humidity.