Bronco Buster by Frederic Remington
I have a 20th Century Reproduction of Bronco Buster by Frederic Remington. It is the medium sized bronze 12" high model with a 1" marble base. It's about 10" wide and 10" long. There is no production numbering or forge name on the base of the statue so I am certain it isn't an original. The back of the horse has the branding symbol and the man is holding a rope with a rod hanging from it (he is not holding the rod like in most pictures I see, it hangs from the rope). I am not sure how old it is but my late grandparents received this gift from a wealthy friend of theirs in the '80s who said it was a very valuable piece. I tried listing it on eBay for $250 and in just 4 hours the offers went up to $1000, even though its just a reproduction. So, its clear I am missing something and I would love your help! Thank you!
It was a gift to my late grandparents in the 80s from a wealthy friend of theirs who said it was very valuable. I am not sure exactly how old it is beyond that.
Inherited
Yes
Hello Peter,
Thank you for your appraisal inquiry with Mearto. The item presented appears to be bronze reproduction sculpture after Frederic Remington (American, 1861 – 1909) titled "Bronco Buster." The sculpture is arguably Remington's most collected sculpture. The example you have was likely produced during the 1970s. Further, it appears to be a very nice copy. The market is flooded with gummy reproductions and are often poor quality, even made of brass or spelter trying to pass as bronze.
The asking price of $250 you listed is a very common and fair price. One can buy these reproduction at retail for $250 - 500 very easily. One of the original bronzes of this work was gifted to Theodore Roosevelt, so I'd imagine with the recent buzz over the Roosevelt sculpture at the Museum of Natural History, people may be looking to collect this work even more than usual. Asking prices for an example such as your are often seen at $300 - 3,000, depending on size. However, many of these listings claim the object if by Remington. The only striking difference I see with your example is the lack of "copyright" over the signature. This often means the object was published with permission from the estate. Additionally, the plaque to the base spells Frederic's name correctly, which is very rare (as odd as that may seem).
The estimate provided is based on recent auction estimates and results of a fine reproduction example of the "Bronco Buster" dating to the 1970s into the 1980 and in a similar 12" eight size. Please note asking or dealer prices may vary. The estimate provided is lower than the highest offer you received due to the auction market. I suggest taking the offer best for you, so long as you are clear with the buyer the object is indeed a reproduction. Thank you and please take care.
