L'Accolade (The Embrace)
Bronze sculpture on a marble/stone base • Pierre-Jules Mêne (French, 1810–1879)
Style & Movement
Animalier (19th-century French school of animal sculpture)
Medium & Technique
Cast bronze using the lost-wax (cire perdue) or sand-casting method, featuring a hand-applied brown patina with subtle lighter highlights on muscular protrusions.
Creation Period
Late 19th Century to early 20th Century (based on the posthumous popularity of the model and the appearance of the casting).
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 20 x 32 x 15 inches (Large format); Horizontal/Oblong composition.
Subject Description
A celebrated composition featuring a stallion and a mare in a moment of affection or courtship. The scene depicts the horses standing on a naturalistic, textured ground that mimics rough terrain. The design emphasizes equine anatomy, grace, and realistic interaction.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good. The bronze displays a well-preserved patina with standard age-related wear. The black stone base appears modern or well-maintained.
Estimated Market Value
$4,000 - $7,000 USD (Depending on the specific foundry mark and casting quality).
Auction Estimate
$3,000 - $5,000 USD
Provenance History
Incised signature 'P.J. MENE' on the bronze base. Likely formerly part of a private collection of European decorative arts; these models were widely collected by the 19th-century bourgeoisie.
Art Historical Significance
Mêne was the most successful animalier sculptor of his time. 'L'Accolade' is considered his masterpiece and one of the most iconic images of the Animalier movement, celebrated for its departure from violent hunting scenes toward peaceful, domestic animal behavior.
Notable Features
Features the distinctive block-letter signature 'P.J. MENE' characteristic of his later casts and posthumous editions issued by the Susse Frères or Mêne-Cain foundries.
Condition Issues
Minor surface dust in recessed textured areas of the base; slight rubbing of patina on the highest points of the horse's musculature; minor scratches on the polished black base.
Conservation Recommendations
Light dusting with a soft natural-hair brush; application of a microcrystalline wax (like Renaissance Wax) to protect the patina if placed in a humid environment; avoid chemical cleaners.