Accolade No. 2 (The Embrace No. 2)

Entitled Tachiani et Nedjébé, chevaux arabes, the present model, now known as L'Accolade, was first exhibited in wax at the Salon of 1852 (no. 1479). A bronze cast was exhibited the following year (no. 1440) and, along with two other works, the re-submitted wax won Mêne a medal at the Paris Exposition universelle in 1855. Subsequently becoming one of the sculptor's most popular models, L'Accolade was cast in three sizes by the Susse foundry, the present cast being an example of the middle version. Another cast of this size sold Christie's, London, 23 May 2008, lot 53 (£12,500).