NAVIGATION

A German Anatomical Polychromed Papier Mâché and Plaster Model of a Thoroughbred Horse’s Head Demonstrating the Equine Musculature
Late 19th – Early 20th Century

Size: head: 37.5cm high, 10.5cm wide, 49cm deep - 14¾ ins high, 4 ins wide, 19¼ ins deep / 59.5cm high - 23½ ins high (with base) 

The horse is one of the most important domestic animals in human history and their health and care is a foundation of veterinary medicine. Equine anatomy has long been a closely studied subject by horse breeders, veterinarians and especially artists. The thoroughbred is a tall, slim, athletic horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Flat racing has existed in England at least since 1174 A.D when four mile races took place at Smithfield in London. Thoroughbreds are considered 'hot blooded', horses that are known for their agility, speed and spirit. The breed, as it is known today was developed in 17th and 18th century England when native mares were crossbred with imported oriental stallions of Arabian, Barb and Turkoman breeding. Remarkably, all modern thoroughbreds can trace their pedigrees to three stallions: the Byerley Turk 1680, the Darley Arabian 1704 and the Godolphin Arabian 1729, which were imported into England and put to a larger number of foundation mares of mostly English breeding. During the 18th and 19th centuries the thoroughbred horse spread throughout the world. They were imported into North America in 1730 and then into Europe, Australia, Japan and South America during the 19th century. In 1791 an official General Stud Book was begun and today more than 100,000 foals are registered across the world each year.
 

Ex Private German collection