The Sporting Sale including The John Poynton Collection

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Lot 329
  • 329

John Willis Good British, 1845-1879

Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
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Description

  • John Willis Good
  • Calling Hounds Out of Cover and The View Halloo
  • huntsman looking back signed: J. Willis Good 1874, huntsman calling signed: J. Willis Good, both stamped ELKINGTON & CO
  • bronze, mid to dark brown patina, on mottled marblised metal bases

Condition

There are some minor damages to the ends of the reins. Otherwise condition is very good.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

Willis Good exhibited both Calling Hounds Out of Cover and The View Halloo at the Royal Academy in 1874 as nos.1597-98 respectively. Sotheby's sold the original plasters for the models on 9th July 2004. The plasters were commissioned from the artist by a well-known and charismatic member of the Stock Exchange, Tom Nickalls, who was known variously as the 'King of the American Railway Market' and 'The Erie King' in building up his fortune. Nickalls had moved to Chicago with his parents at the age of five but things had not worked out as planned, his mother complaining that 'This country is a haven for men and horses; hell for women and cattle'. They returned to England. A keen outdoorsman, sport was Nickalls' greatest passion in life and despite the handicap of being 18 stone he was a talented rider. From 1878 to 1893 he was the Master of the Surrey Stag Hounds.

Willis Good intended the works to be pendants. As with his groups depicting horses and jockeys this pair of hunting groups have a distinctly narrative flavour as each figure enacts a specific moment of the hunt. The Elkington & Co. foundry owned the rights to their reproduction and they proved exceedingly popular, the accuracy of the modelling coming through in finely chased casts with fine patinas.

RELATED LITERATURE
Graves vol.3, p.264