A RUSSIAN PATINATED BRONZE EQUESTRIAN GROUP OF A TROIKA PASSING A PEASANT SLEIGH

This fine bronze perfectly captures the real sense of movement and action for which the Russian sculptor Vassili Yacovlevich Grachev's (1831-1905) best groups are admired. The three horses are clearly unnerved by the peasant's sled and the reaction of the Nobleman in the troika is wonderfully animated.
A similar cast was sold Christie's, London, 29 November 2010, lot 443, (£37,250). Another cast is illustrated in C. Payne, Animals in Bronze, Antique Collectors' Club, 1986, p. 387, M32.