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silla was born out of a passion for beautiful objects: special pieces with aesthetic and historical significance. In 2009, after years of collecting, Andrew Silla and his wife Grace began to work privately with clients from their residence in Southern Maryland. Quickly outgrowing the space, the business was moved from Maryland to Pennsylvania in 2012 and after several warehouse location changes it was firmly settled in the present brick-and-mortar location in downtown Shippensburg.

The 9000 square foot brick-and-mortar gallery is home to a large collection of works of art and estate jewelry. We specialize in sculpture circa 1860 through 1930 with a particular emphasis on the Animaliers and as such the gallery always has a very large collection of exceptional European and American sculpture available on display.

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"Cerf Commun", bronze sculpture | Pierre Jules Mene

Mene, Pierre-Jules

SKU:
005FXP27P
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catalog text

BRONZE MODEL OF "CERF COMMUN" BY PIERRE JULES MENE (FRENCH, 1810-1879)
Signed "P.J. Mene" in naturalistic base; atelier cast, circa 1840s
Item # 005FXP27P 

A rare and exquisite mid-19th century sand-cast model of a stag deer executed in Pierre-Jules Mêne's own atelier, it is a silky and finely detailed model with a reddish-brown oxide surface patina preserved under wax. The steady yet delicate movements of the animal are captured beautifully in this small bronze. He walks through a naturalistic base with strewn foliage and a crisp signature "P.J. MENE". The base styling and joinery gives some indication of the early casting date.

Artist Listings & Further Reading:

  • Bronzes of the 19th Century: A Dictionary of Sculptors, Pierre Kjellberg, 1994; see p. 472-75 for the Susse catalog of Mene and Cain's work noting this sculpture as no. 123 titled "Cerf Commun" with dimensions of 17 cm h, 18 cm l, and a price of 50 francs; the catalog also lists "Cerf Muntjak" of the same dimensions, which is a right facing model that was likely cast in conjunction with this model, as the two compliment eachother beautifully; see Christopher Payne's "Animals in Bronze" for a model of "Cerf Muntjak" (2002, p. 186, f. De10)
  • The Animaliers, James Mackay, 1973, p. 149; as part of Mackay's reproduction of a fragment of Mene's catalogue, he includes two lists of works with dimensions; the present work is likely no. 6 from the "Supplementary List", noted as 'Stag with eight-point crown, 18cm, 7"'
  • Bronze Sculpture of 'Les Animaliers', Jane Horswell, 1971, p.106; noted as "Walking Stag" circa 1840s with 6 1/2" height in dark patination


Measurements: 7 1/4" W (base 6 1/4" W) x 2 3/8" D x 6 1/8" H

Condition Report:
In exceptional condition, original patina with very minor handling wear.