Aberdeen Angus Bull (Black Knight of Auchterarder), bronze, Herbert Haseltine (1877-1962), American, 1925

Statuette, bronze.

Given by Miss Davey in memory of her brother, George Henry Davey.

Given by Miss Davey in memory of her brother, George Henry Davey. Miss Davey's gift, A.193 to A.210-196 consists of eighteen objects representing nineteen animals as A.197-1969 represents two. The whole series originally consisted of 20 animals. George Henry Davey, who purchased the Third set of British Champion animals and in whose memory it was given to the Museum, was the Paris representative of Knoedler and Co, the art-dealers, for many years. Herbert Haseltine's idea of the series originated in his modelling of King George V's champion Shire stallion Field Marshall V (exhibited 1921). In June 1925 twenty of the British Champion Animals were shown in Paris at the Galerie Georges Petit. In July and August the same exhibition was held at Knoedler's in London; the titles correspond with the Museum's set.

This Aberdeen Angus Bull, called the Black Knight of Auchterarder was calved on 26th April 1919 (sir, Evmar and Dam, Blackbird V of Braevail). It was bred by A.T Reid, Esq and was the property of Sir Leonars Brassey, Bart, M.P of Apethorpe Hall, Peterborough. This bull was the Champion at the Shows of the Royal Agricultural Society of England in 1921, 1922 and 1923 as well as the Champion at the Shows of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland in 1921 and 1922.

This Aberdeen Angus Bull is part of a larger series of twenty Champion animals. It is the work of Herbert Haseltine whose sculptures used beautiful materials and patinas and were inspired by Egyptian sculptures.

The bull is the Black Knight of Auchterarder, who was the Champion at the Royal Agricultural Society Shows between 1921 and 1923 and the Champion at the Highland and Agricultural Society Shows in 1921 and 1922.

A.202-1969