John Rattenbury Skeaping Auction Prices and Value Guide
John Rattenbury Skeaping auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 447 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.
John Rattenbury Skeaping auction prices: quick answer
John Rattenbury Skeaping auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.
- Artist
- John Rattenbury Skeaping
- Source records
- 447
- Market update
- 2026-02-16
Artist context
About John Rattenbury Skeaping
John Rattenbury Skeaping, RA (1901–1980) was a British sculptor, painter, and printmaker best known for his equine and animal subjects. Born in South Woodford, England, the son of painter Kenneth Matheison Skeaping, he trained as a sculptor in the late 1910s and was active from roughly 1920 through the mid-1970s. He married the sculptor Barbara Hepworth in 1924 (divorced 1933), a period that placed him at the center of British modernist sculpture. Skeaping was elected a Royal Academician and taught at an academy or university from 1948 to 1959. Beyond gallery sculpture, he designed animal figures for Wedgwood and created a life-size statue of the racehorse Secretariat for the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. His work is held by major institutions including Tate, which maintains a dedicated artist page. With 447 recorded auction appearances, Skeaping's work is a regular presence in the secondary market.
sculpturepainting (equine subjects)etchingdrawinghorses and equine subjectsanimals
Common works and media
Skeaping's most commonly encountered works include bronze and stone animal sculptures (particularly horses, dogs, and birds), equine paintings in oil and watercolor, etchings and drawings of animal subjects, and ceramic animal figures produced by Wedgwood. His public commissions, such as the Secretariat statue, represent a distinct category of monumental sculpture. Smaller-scale carvings, portrait busts, and occasional war-era works also appear. The 447 auction records attributed to him in the Appraisily database span sculptures, paintings, prints, and decorative ceramics.
Market and appraisal context
John Skeaping's work appears across sculpture, painting, works on paper, and decorative ceramics at auction. His bronze and stone animal sculptures, especially equine subjects, are the most sought-after category. The Wedgwood ceramic animal figures he designed were produced in editions and range widely in value depending on model rarity, size, and condition. Provenance is an important factor—works with documented exhibition history or early date may command stronger interest. His connection to Barbara Hepworth and his RA status add institutional weight. Collectors should verify attribution carefully on ceramic editions, as Wedgwood reissued designs over time. Comparable auction records and specialist review are recommended for formal appraisal.
Auction categories and appraisal factors
Value drivers
- Medium and scale: bronze sculptures and carved stone works typically command higher prices than drawings or prints
- Subject matter: equine and animal subjects are his most recognized work and frequently appear at auction
- Wedgwood editions: ceramic animal figures designed by Skeaping were produced in multiples, affecting value depending on rarity of the specific model and condition
- Provenance: works with documented exhibition or collection history, or association with his marriage to Barbara Hepworth, may carry premium interest
- RA designation: election as a Royal Academician reflects institutional recognition that can influence collector confidence
Appraisal caveats
- No public auction price records are included in the available source pack; comparable sale data should be consulted from auction databases for appraisal purposes.
- Wedgwood production figures exist in multiple editions and sizes; attribution to Skeaping's design versus later reissues should be verified.
- Works from the period of his marriage to Barbara Hepworth (1924–1933) may sometimes be confused or co-attributed; careful provenance review is recommended.
Evidence
Sources for artist context
This source-grounded artist context passed Appraisily's promotion threshold: high confidence, strong sources.
- RKD library authority
- Library of Congress library authority
- Tate museum or university
- Wikidata library authority
- Getty Vocabulary Program library authority
- VIAF library authority
Data basis
This page is built from Appraisily's public auction market index. Private transactions, incomplete sale feeds, and attribution changes may not be fully represented.
Artist value FAQ
How much is John Rattenbury Skeaping worth?
Comparable public auction sales are the best starting point, but final value depends on the specific artwork, condition, size, medium, provenance, and attribution confidence.
Can Appraisily value my John Rattenbury Skeaping artwork?
Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.