Bellowing Stag
Sculpture, figurative animalier study • In the manner of Pierre-Jules Mène or Clovis Edmond Masson; likely a French or British School 'Animalier' foundry casting
Style & Movement
Animalier (Naturalism/Realism); focused on the realistic and anatomical representation of animals
Medium & Technique
Silvered bronze or electroplated white metal; lost-wax casting technique with hand-finished chasing and a silver-plate finish over a base metal
Creation Period
Late 19th to early 20th Century (circa 1880-1920)
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 25 cm height x 30 cm length (Landscape orientation/statue format)
Subject Description
A majestic red deer stag depicted in a vocalizing or 'bellowing' pose during the rut. The stag is modeled with a thick neck mane, multi-tined antlers, and a muscular body, standing on a textured, rocky naturalistic base.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; the structural integrity is intact, but there is noticeable wear to the silver plating on the high relief areas and tarnish in the recessed textures.
Estimated Market Value
$800 - $1,500 USD
Auction Estimate
$600 - $1,200 USD
Provenance History
Unknown; likely a high-quality domestic decorative object from a private estate, consistent with Victorian or Edwardian sporting interest interiors.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the 19th-century European obsession with hunting and the 'Animalier' movement, which Elevated animals to serious sculptural subjects. The work mirrors the influence of Sir Edwin Landseer's iconic paintings like 'Monarch of the Glen' in three-dimensional form.
Notable Features
Highly detailed anatomical rendering of the stag's coat and muscle tension; the naturalistic base appears to be part of the original cast rather than a later stone mount.
Condition Issues
Surface oxidation (tarnish), thinning of the silver layer exposing underlying base metal (possibly bronze or spelter), and minor surface scratches on the base.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning with a mild non-abrasive silver polish; application of microcrystalline wax (Renaissance Wax) to prevent further oxidation; avoid damp environments.