This imposing bronze is a facsimile of an original by Jules Moigniez, a French sculptor renowned for his highly detailed bronze casts of animals. Moigniez was born in Senlis, Oise, in 1835. He studied under Paul Comolera and at the age of 20, in 1855, had his first major exhibition at the Exposition Universelle. Moigniez's father, a gilder, bought a metal foundry to help promote his son's career.
Unlike his contempories, Moigniez concentrated not just on the animals he was depicting, but also often incorporated highly detailed bases showing plant life and fences - as in this wonderful example.
Moigniez committed suicide in 1894 after a long illness. His father's foundry continued to cast his bronzes after his death.
