Artwork > All Sculptures, Animals & Wildlife > The Bell Mare
The Bell Mare
Specifications:
10″H x 10″W x 5″D
Edition of 30
Price:
$2,200
Scott’s Piece Description
Oft’ times, when a mule packer with multiple pack animals in tow found himself traversing a sporadic trail or going through rugged terrain, an older “trail savvy” mare would have a bell placed around its neck and given the freedom to follow her nose. Such an animal would be called a “Bell Mare.” The loaded pack animals (i.e. mules, horses or donkeys etc.) were trained to follow the sound of the bell on the mare’s neck. This allowed the packer freedom to scout and find the trail ahead, rather than having to hold on to a lead rope and wrestle his animals through unknown brush or rough country. Also, each pack animal had the freedom to find its own footing as it followed along, rather than feeling encumbered by being tethered to an animal in front or behind.
Makes me ask the question: “As I traverse the rocky, prickly, uneven and coarse trails of life, what sound (inner guidance, voice or inspiration) am I listening to?”
Image Gallery
Curator Review
In this quiet yet commanding sculpture, Scott Rogers pays tribute to a leader who leads not through force but by trusted instinct. “The Bell Mare” captures the essence of an experienced trail horse—an elder among beasts of burden—tasked with guiding the pack through rugged terrain by the simple, rhythmic sound of a bell. There’s poetry in this method: freedom of movement paired with unwavering responsibility.
The mare’s posture is deliberate, with her head lowered and body mid-stride, suggesting both endurance and calm leadership. Rogers has sculpted her with a sense of wisdom worn into the shoulders and neck, the kind of knowledge earned only through years of navigating the unpredictable. The bell, though small in detail, becomes a powerful symbol of guidance and trust.
What’s especially moving is the understated power of this piece. The mare is not adorned with harness or rope—she is free to choose the path, and the others will follow. There’s something deeply resonant here about influence born of quiet strength. Rogers’ choice to forgo intricate surface detail in favor of broad, expressive forms enhances the emotional weight of the figure.
In “The Bell Mare,” Rogers honors not just a role in Western tradition, but a universal kind of leadership—earned, trusted, and deeply respected.
Get In Touch
We’ll confirm if this sculpture is available now or reserve your place in the next casting (4–5 months).
Phone: 1.435.469.1646
Email: hello@scottrogerssculpture.com
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