Polo Pony (Perfection), Herbert Haseltine (1877-1962), American, 1925

Statuette, bronze. Polo Pony, Perfection.

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 corresponds with the Museum's set.

This statuette of a pony 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 pony is 'Perfection' who won first prize at Olympia in 1923 and was the Champion Heavy-weight polo pony at Hurlingham and Ranelagh in 1922, 1923 and 1925.

A.201-1969