A small bronze statue of Sir Winston Churchill, widely regarded as the greatest Briton to have ever lived, comes up for auction on Wednesday, April 5, at Duke’s in Dorchester.
The auctioneers expect it to sell for up to £100,000, but believe it could go for more.
The statue, which measures 59cm high, is by sculptor Oscar Nemon (1906-85), who became a friend and confidant of the statesman.
According to Nemon, Churchill was not an easy subject and he could be ‘bellicose, challenging and deliberately provocative’.
Guy Schwinge, of Duke’s, said: “It is the original bronze maquette for the full-size statue of Churchill in the Members’ Lobby at the Palace of Westminster. Additional bronzes were produced subsequently but this is a one-off and, as such, it is of great importance.”
Viewing for both the Spring Auction and the Art & Design post-1880 auction begins on April 1 – see www.dukes-auctions.com or call 01305 265080.