A green marble ashtray with a bronze sculpture of a setter dog, England 1890.

England circa 1890.

This bronze sculpture depicts a hunting dog, a Setter, captured in an attentive, natural pose. It fits perfectly into the animalist sculpture movement (Animalier School), which originated in France in the mid-19th century (with exponents such as Antoine-Louis Barye and Pierre-Jules Mêne) and quickly spread throughout Europe. Themes related to hunting and faithful dogs were extraordinarily popular among the bourgeoisie and aristocracy of the time, destined to adorn smoking rooms, libraries, and professional offices. The sculpture is made of cast bronze, cold-finished with a careful chisel that clearly defines the texture of the long, fringed fur typical of the breed. The patina is warm. The base of the ashtray itself is carved from a block of green marble (green Serpentinite), characterized by dark veining and natural stains. The marble has two recesses carved into the edge for holding cigars or cigarettes. Between the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, smoking (especially cigars) was a true male social ritual. Objects like this were designed to be both functional and conversational. England circa 1890.

Misure 5” – 13 CM H 8” – 20 CM L 6” – 15 CM D

Codice REF: M1073