Overall height: 32cm (12.6in)
Patinated bronze. Polo themed equestrian group on a naturalistic base. Signed and dated ‘W. Roche / 1882’ , and foundry marked ‘Coalbrookdale’.
Walter Roche (1847-1921) was the son of the Rev William Roche, rector of Colney Heath, Hertfordshire and was born at Versailles. He shared a house in London with his brother Mark, with whom he worked in the same office of the General Post Office. The brothers both practised sculpture and exhibited together for thirty years. Walter’s output comprised ideal works that were largely statuettes and groups with sporting or animal themes. The brothers appear to have ceased to exhibit in the late 1880s. Walter remained unmarried and retired to The Grange, Tasburgh, Norwich in the early 1900s. His brother was living with him by 1921 and was named as his heir.