William Simmonds sculpture set for Gloucestershire auction

The Black Mare was created by William Simmonds in 1925

An "important and striking" sculpture by a leading member of the Arts and Crafts movement is set to be auctioned.

William Simmonds was a 20th Century artist who lived in Far Oakridge, Gloucestershire. He died in 1968.

His sculpture, The Black Mare, is estimated to sell for between £60,000 and £80,000 on 21 November at a sale by Chorley's Auctioneers.

In a letter from 1955, Simmonds said: "I consider the Black Mare to be perhaps my best work."

After training as an architect, Simmonds enrolled in fine art courses at the Royal College of Art and the Royal Academy schools.

He gained a following in the 1920s for his wood and ivory carvings of animals.

The Black Mare, which dates back to 1925, depicts a mahogany stylised horse turning to nip at a fly on its rear.

It will be offered alongside a selection of other items from Simmonds' Gloucestershire studio, such as his tool chest, a set of wallpaper designs and an oil sketch.

Thomas Jenner-Fust, director at Chorley's, said: "As pieces by the great Arts and Crafts sculptor William Simmonds rarely come to auction, we are delighted to have the opportunity to offer possibly the most important work in his oeuvre.

"Such was his contribution to both the Arts and Crafts movement, but also to his local community and the wider arts industry, it is a great honour to present such a historic embodiment of what Simmonds was trying to achieve and did so magnificently.

"The Black Mare is the most imposing, monumental and striking of Simmonds' works."

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