The bronze partridges in this pair by the French sculptor Jules Moigniez are deftly cast and each bird is finished with a warm and remarkably varied patina.
The partridges in this pair are formed from patinated bronze. Each bronze bird stands on a leaf-strewn base, which has been cast to render realistically formed rocks and shrubbery, all of which serve to indicate that the partridge resides in its natural environment. The partridges are active: their movement is almost perceptible as each seems to stride forward. One partridge looks downwards, while the other looks towards the sky, its beak open mid crow.
Jules Moigniez, one of the most celebrated and collected sculptors of animals active during the 19th Century, has created beautifully cast birds. In addition, Moigniez was adept at rendering detailed, sumptuous patinas, as is evident with this pair.
Each sculpture is signed on its base ‘J. Moigniez.’