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A plaster cast of the group was first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1892 and at the Crystal Palace, where it remained until fire destroyed the building in 1936. When Jones gave it to the RVC, plans were made to cast it in bronze but Jones's death and the War foiled those plans. It was later decided to coat the work in fibreglass and polyester resin to preserve it but this method of conservation did not work. In 1982 it was determined to save the piece and it was temporarily restored and the next year a fund drive was launched to raise £30,000 to make the bronze casting. Dean Robert R. Marshak was active in saving the Jones sculpture. Jones was commissioned to produce the 'Peace Quadriga' atop the Wellington Arch. Adrian Jones was a former RVC student and army veterinary doctor turned sculptor.
Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire
Hatfield
Title
Duncan's Horses
Date
1892 & 1983
Medium
bronze
Accession number
PCF3
Acquisition method
restored by many friends of the college, in particular Paul Mellon, KBE
Work type
Equestrian
Inscription description
DUNCAN'S HORSES / UNVEILED BY HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS / THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH KG KT / PATRON OF THE ROYAL VETERINARY COLLEGE / ON 26 JUNE 1985; THE RESTORATION OF THE SCULPTURE AND ITS / CASTING IN BRONZE MADE POSSIBLE BY THE / GENEROSITY OF MANY FRIENDS OF THE COLLEGE / IN PARTICULAR BY PAUL MELLON KBE; the inscription around base is a quotation from Macbeth: And Duncan's horses - a thing most strange and certain - / Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race, / Turn'd wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out, / Contending 'gainst obedience, as they would make / War with mankind.