Harry Jackson (American, 1924-2011) Pony Express II

Description:

Harry Jackson (American, 1924-2011)

Pony Express II
Signed, dated, titled, and numbered "© Harry Jackson 1980" and "PE II 54" in the bronze base, with the artist's foundry stamp and thumbprint also in the bronze base.
Bronze with dark brown patina, height 13 1/16 in. (33.2 cm),on a marble plinth.
Condition: Dust and dirt to the interstices.

Provenance: The collection of Joseph Thomas Alvarez III, California.

N.B. The lot is accompanied by a Certificate of Origin, signed by Harry Jackson, and dated January 4, 2005.

Pony Express is one of Harry Jackson's most highly wrought pieces, carefully constructed and repeatedly refined. He wrote that "every millimeter has been thought over and passed a kind of artful inner board of censorship and approval." (1) Details such as the left front mail pouch shown without a lock, because it is for local mail between way stations, and the rawhide quirt trailing out from the saddle horn, all resulted from Jackson's complete immersion in every aspect of the design. Of particular note is the open mouth of the horse. Jackson was well aware that "a horse never opens his mouth when he's running until he's ready to drop dead." (2) Jackson deliberately chose to sculpt the open mouth for dramatic and artistic reasons, and he did so with complete awareness of the natural law he was breaking.


1. Larry Pointer and Donald Goddard, Harry Jackson (New York: Harry N. Abrams Inc., 1981),p. 240.

2. Ibid, p. 235.
Estimate $4,000-6,000


Items may have wear and tear, imperfections, or the effects of aging. Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

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