Preliminary identification
Photo reference
4 uploaded photos
Overview
A pair of highly collectible resin figurines from 'The Trail of Painted Ponies' series, featuring 'Silver Bells' (Item No. 12235, 2006) by Janee Hughes and 'The Phoenix Pony' (Item No. 11568, 2005) by Wendy Wells-Bailey. Both pieces come complete with their original boxes, tags, and story cards, representing first-edition castings as indicated by the '1E' prefix on their bases.
Story
Launched in New Mexico in 2001, this public art project invited artists to use life-sized horse sculptures as blank canvases. The resulting miniature replicas transformed the humble horse figurine into a global collecting phenomenon. These two pieces represent the beautiful duality of the line, contrasting traditional festive pageantry with bold, modern fantasy art.
Maker / Origin
The Trail of Painted Ponies was founded by Rod Barker, inspired by the public art project 'Horses in the Hood' in Santa Fe. The company collaborated with independent artists, illustrators, and native craftsmen, giving them a global platform.
Condition & Value
Both figurines appear to be in excellent, near-mint condition with no visible chips, cracks, or paint loss. The original red boxes show very minor shelf wear but are structurally sound, and the original hangtags and story inserts are present, which preserves maximum collector value.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.