Tom Fool

Details

HERBERT HASELTINE (1877-1962)
Tom Fool
inscribed 'Herbert Haseltine/1959' (on the base)—inscribed 'TOM FOOL.FOALED 1949/SIRE.MENOW/DAM.GAGA' (on the front of the base)
bronze with reddish brown patina and stone
10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm.) high on a 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm.) marble base
Modeled and cast in 1959.

Provenance

The artist.
(Probably) Joan Whitney Payson, New York, commissioned from the above, 1959.
Charles Shipman Payson, New York, 1975, by descent.
By descent to the present owner.

Further details

To be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonné of Herbert Haseltine co-authored by Edward Horswell and Turner Reuter to be published by Sladmore Gallery and Red Fox Fine Art.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Tylee Abbott Vice President, Head of American Art

tabbott@christies.com +1 212 707 5925

Lot Essay

Kentucky-bred Tom Fool was a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse awarded American Horse of the Year after going undefeated in ten races in 1953, and was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1960. He sired an award-winning bloodline of racehorses including most recently the 2015 Triple Crown winner, American Pharaoh. The present bronze has descended in the family of Tom Fool's owners, Mrs. Charles Payson and John Hay Whitney, who acquired him as a yearling for their major thoroughbred stable known as Greentree Stable. This rare sculpture was probably commissioned directly from the artist who likely only produced less than ten casts total.

More from 19th Century American Art

View All