Sheep Sleeper?

Not Many People Know That
It's not often that a 'sleeper' * is bought at auction these days.

Back in the day, a wily antiques dealer could find items inaccurately catalogued at local auctions and buy them for a song. The worldwide exposure of auction lots on the internet has put pay to that.

On the 3rd January this year, in Pennsylvania, USA, a dispersal auction of a large collection of all things vulpine from the DuPont family home, Foxcatcher Farm took place.

Amongst the items was a frosted glass model of a leaping fox, that was catalogued with 4 other foxy items with an estimated value of $150.

The frosted glass fox was, in fact, the illusive car mascot, model 1182 produced by Rene Lalique in 1930. Prior to the discovery of this one, only 5 others had been recorded.
Although it did not carry the R Lalique signature, enough people in the know were convinced it was 'right'.
The price it actually made on the day was $175,000 (£119,000) and that is before the 17% buyers' premium was added.

Imagine my excitement this morning, when I came across this Lalique-esque sheep.
Shame it melted during the day... !

And just in case Not Many People Know That:

*A sleeper is an item yet to be correctly identified and verified, so may be bought very cheaply.

The best hunting ground for sleepers these days are car boot sales and antique markets.
The best sleeper I've bought was also a fox -but ceramic. Bought for £12 and sold for £350.

Other 'Not Many People Know That' entries:
NotMany 1 & 2
NotMany 3