Lot 1144: Carroll Bassett Bronze Sculpture, Polo Player, 1929

Carroll K. Bassett (American, 1906-1972), “Polo,” bronze sculpture depicting a polo player leaning back as his horse gallops ahead. Signed to base and dated 1929. 7 1/2 in. H x 8 1/2 in. W x 2 1/4 in. D. Note: Bassett was born into privilege in Summit, NJ, and spent his life around horses, first as a fox hunter and later as a polo player and jockey and sporting artist. He studied at Williams College and at the Art Students League of New York. He is thought to have sculpted only about fifteen models, depicting such subjects as game cocks, mares and foals, polo players, racehorses with jockeys, and horse portraits. His sculpture was modeled mostly for himself and his friends rather than for sale. When he did work on commission, he generally charged only enough to cover the foundry bill, and did very little sculpture after 1930. Source: F. Turner Reuter, Jr.: “Animal and Sporting Artists in America”. 

PROVENANCE: Private Middle Tennessee Collection. 

CONDITION: Lacking mallet. A couple of small spots of oxidation to player’s upper thigh and to base near front hooves.