Art of Bronze is pleased to present this classic French bronze statue of two large hunting dogs after Clovis Edmond Masson (French, 1838 to 1913) from a private Brentwood, CA estate.  One dog is depicted with his nose to the ground, maybe having caught the scent of another fowl. The other dog has his head raised with a pheasant in his jowls. The sculpture was cast using the lost wax process, which offers intricate detail to the dogs’ fur and musculature, as well as the rough terrain base.  Wear is consistent with age and use.

The owner was a passionate collector of many different styles of bronze sculpture artwork.  This sculpture is known to be the most popular among bronze lovers and collectors.  If you have a love for hunting & tradition, call an Art of Bronze representative at (805) 908-5355.

Clovis Masson was born in Paris, France March 7th 1838 and is famous for his masterpieces with animal subjects.  He was one of the many pupils of the sculptor Antoine Louis Barye.  He exhibited his Animalier sculpture regularly at the Salon starting in 1867.  Masson continued to exhibit his works at the Salon and entered a total of 52 separate sculptures, most of them in plaster, wax, and bronze up until 1909.

Hunting scenes were common in 16th, 17th, 18th & 19th century art, with dogs depicted as integral to the hunt, as well as a constant companion to the hunter. Recognized for their unparalleled sense of smell, acute vision, and incredible stamina, dogs were bred for specific types of hunting, including bird and waterfowling, fox and deer hunting, or hunting smaller prey like rabbit. After the establishment of The Kennel Club in the UK in 1873 and the American Kennel Club in 1884, breed standards were introduced and dog portraits and art increased in popularity.

If you are in the market to purchase or sell a bronze sculpture work of art, learn more about our- private estate items – consigned bronze statues –antique bronze statues – trust artwork – estate liquidations.