Prince Paul Troubetzkoy

Estimate

30,000 - 50,000 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

Prince Paul Troubetzkoy
A pair of rodeo riders
both signed and dated: Paul Troubetzkoy 1920 and inscribed: Roman Bronze Works N.Y.
The rearing horse has labels on the underside, one printed: Esposizione della citta di Venezia 227 covered by an old stamp with a coat of arms: DOGA...ITALIANA P.9073 and one deteriorated label printed in red and black: ... Titolo dell'opera C ... cavallo ... Prezze di vendi... Proprietario Paul Troubetzkoy
The bucking horse with remains of a similar stamp as pendant with number: ...211 and inscribed L345 in black ink on the underside
bronze, dark green patina

Condition

Overall the condition of the bronzes is very good. The rider of the kicking horse has a fracture to the little finger of the right hand. There is a fracture to the front left leg of the horse. With the rearing horse there are restored fractures to both hind legs, the right front leg and the tail. There are some slight spots of red paint to both bronzes.
"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

Prince Paul Troubetzkoy began his series of studies of cowboys and rodeo riders in 1920 and these models are among the first created. The series developed followed his stay in America from 1914 to 1920. As the son of a Russian aristocrat and an American singer Troubetzkoy was perfectly placed to capture both the high society and the popular culture of the United States. The excitement and action captured in the bronzes is far removed from the elegant languor of Troubetzkoy's American portraits, whose subjects included Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Mary Pickford. The present bronzes capture the humour and dynamism of the rodeo in a technical tour-de force of modelling which gives the hard metal a sense of lightness and spontaneity.

RELATED LITERATURE
Panzetta, p. 941, no. 1882