RATTLESNAKE PLATE 59 - 1905.BRONZE-DARKER PATINA 11" CIRCA BASE GREEN MARBLE - DETAILED - SEVERAL CASTS - ORIGINAL BUFFALO BILL CENTER CODY WYOMING - FREDIRIC REMINGTON - VERY COLLECTABLE - WAS MINT CONDITION. THIS PIECE WAS APPRAISED IN MAY OF 1999. APPRAISED VALUE WAS $19.870.00. THE GREEN MARBLE BASE ISIS RUFFLY 9.25" LENGTH X 6" WIDTH. THE BRONZE PART ON TOP ON THE MARBLE IS RUFFLY 6" LENGTH X 3.75 WIDTH X 9.75 HEIGHT. TOTAL HEIGHT (MARBLE AND BRONZE) RUFFLY 11". ON THE UNDER SIDE OF THE BASE ARE IS AN "A" STAMPED ON BOTH SIDES AND IN THE MIDDLE IT IS STAMPED "WS 208 MB". IT IS IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE. I SEE THE HARNESS HAS BROKEN AWAY FROM THE BRIDLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THE MARBLE BASE HAS A COUPLE OF HAIRLINE CRACKS. DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE NATURAL OR OTHER. i TRIED TO INCLUDE PHOTOS OF ANY DAMAGE. LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY ADDITIONAL PHOTOS OR INFO. THANK YOU
BILL OF SALE STATES WELL ESTABLISHED PRIVATE COLLECTION.
Hi Raymond,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
Remington's did several casts of "The Rattlesnake," which was one of his most popular bronzes. Roman Bronze Works was the foundry authorized during his lifetime and also did some posthumous casts. The Remington bronzes that bring the most money at auction (high five figures / low six figures) are those that have their name across the bottom. I don't see that in any of your photos. The marks on the bottom are a little suspect, as is the green marble plinth this is on (fakes and later castings are usually mounted on marble bases to hide reproduction casting marks). IF THIS SAYS ROMAN BRONZE WORKS ON IT ANYWHERE PLEASE LET ME KNOW AS THAT WILL CHANGE THE VALUE CONSIDERABLY.
At the moment, reproduction bronzes of this small size are selling for about $1,000 at auction, which are the fair-market values Mearto assigns; the $19,870 value this was appraised for in 1999 was for insurance, which is often 2-3 times the fair market value.
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
after Frederic Sackrider Remington (1861-1909)
posthumous reproduction / copy of "The Rattlesnake"
Bronze, depicting a cowboy on horse leaping to avoid a rattlesnake, on a variegated green marble plinth. Underside of bronze marked "A" "WS 208 MB".
Bronze 9 3/4 inches high, 6 inches long by 3 3/4 inches wide; marble plinth
CONDITION: client represents minor separation to bronze harness and minor splits to marble.
PROVENANCE: insurance appraisal for $19,870 by Fisher Fine Art & Jewelry; 1993 bill of sale by Carmelita Hood for $6,820
$800-1,200*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.
Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, and thank you again for using Mearto.