Pair of urns with covers with hunting scenes 1830 - 1865

These bronze covered urns with hunting scenes were crafted by Pierre-Jules Mêne, likely in the mid-19th century. Their dark patina and intricate relief create a deeply tactile experience. Mêne's sculptural composition masterfully captures a dynamism, freezing moments of pursuit and confrontation. Observe how the swirling vegetal motifs at the base transition into scenes of the hunt, topped with avian figures. This structured arrangement reflects a hierarchy, moving from the earthly to the aviary realms. The urns exemplify the Romantic era’s fascination with nature, yet they also subtly engage with the semiotic systems of power and display inherent in decorative arts. Note that the choice of bronze and the precision of detail elevate these objects beyond mere utility, imbuing them with symbolic value. The complex layering and the interplay of light and shadow across the sculpted surfaces invite repeated viewing, revealing new details and suggesting that meaning is not fixed, but emerges through our continued interaction with the artwork.