Cheval pur sang (presentation-piece)

Certainly an unusual form for the animaliers, the present lot was undoubtedly a trophy or presentation-piece for a derby winner with its removable lid and recessed basin revealed beneath. Though the identity of both the thoroughbred and jockey remain anonymous, the trophy would have served specifically as a portrait. A very similar portrait entitled Barberousse, executed in bronze by Fremiet between 1885 and 1889, is illustrated in C. Chevillot, Emmanuel Fremiet: La main et le multiple, Dijon, 1988, p. 82. However the current lot is notably different from its comparable, as the head and neck are seemingly attentive and the facial features are more noticeably animated.