Border Fine Arts Clean Sweep Ray Ayres Classic Limited Edition 472/950 COA Boxed. Border Fine Arts “Clean Sweep” by Ray Ayres (Classic Collection). 472 of Only 950 Pieces Worldwide. An exceptional opportunity to acquire a highly sought-after, strictly limited edition piece from Border Fine Arts, Scotland. Sculpted by the master artist Ray Ayres, “Clean Sweep” beautifully captures a traditional rural harvest scene featuring a single working heavy horse pulling a wide wooden haysweep frame, guided meticulously by a farmer from behind. This example comes complete with its original Certificate of Authenticity, Painter’s Certificate of Quality, Border Fine Arts Society booklet, and its form-fitting factory packaging inserts. Clean Sweep (Classic Collection). 472 / 950 (Hand-written on the base groundwork edge). Includes original Certificate of Authenticity (COA) and the Certificate of Quality signed by the studio painter M. Mounted onto its original shaped, polished wooden display plinth with full protective green felt under-backing intact. This sculpture has been studied extensively under macro flash photography from every angle to ensure a transparent assessment for collectors. The main sculpture is structurally sound. The highly fragile elements typical of this model-including the horse’s ears, the taut cord guide reins, the long brass-toned metal trace chains, and the equipment handles-are 100% unbroken, intact, and original. Macro close-ups of both the left and right profiles show no anatomical flaws. The horse’s legs, white feathers, and hooves show no stress fractures or prior repair work where they join the groundwork. Please note there are a few small chips to the molded resin on the lower rear slope of the main hay pile, situated directly above the artist’s signature. The largest of these is a small flake revealing the white unpainted interior resin underneath. This is a purely cosmetic flaw that does not impact the stability or structure of the model, but it has been highlighted clearly in the photos and priced accordingly. The hand-painted factory finish remains deep and vibrant across the horse’s coat, the terrain, and the farmer’s clothing. The farmer’s facial features, hands, and flat cap are in perfect condition with absolutely no chips or scuffs. The polished wooden base is smooth with clean edges and a sound undercarriage. The top polished face has a tiny white scuff mark and a couple of small pale surface blemishes on the right side. These are entirely cosmetic and are fully hidden from view once the green-felt bottom of the resin sculpture is screwed down in place. The sculpture is dusty from being displayed and has light cobweb-like dust strands in the tighter crevices (around the horse’s poll, collar rigging, and hay rows). It would benefit from a light, delicate dry brush clean with a soft artist or makeup brush. Small white spots visible on the horse’s back in photos are loose dust catching the harsh camera flash, not paint loss. Please note that one side panel features a prominent triangular impact puncture/tear. This mark is completely superficial to the outer box layer and has not reached or affected the internal packaging or the sculpture inside. Because of the fragile nature of cold-cast resin and extended rigging, this item will be packed professionally.
