The suggestion that an auctioneer might have overlooked a gem can often generate the sort of competition that is missing when an estimate and description are 100% correct.
Consider the performance of this bronze equestrian group offered for sale by Cottees (18% buyer’s premium) in Poole on September 11 as ‘bronze racehorse and jockey trophy 30cm high, estimate £50-80’.
As alluded to by a photo of the signature, this 12in (30cm) piece is a relatively late work by John Skeaping (1901-80) titled Trophy York Bronze and dated 1977. One of this edition was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1978 where it was stated they were cast by Wally Livingstone in Tunbridge Wells.
A couple have sold at UK regional sales in recent years: one made £3800 at Woolley & Wallis in June 2018. Despite its low-key billing, the example in Dorset made considerably more, selling at £7200.
