Cow sculptures to raise cash for farming charity

A unique cow sculpture will go under the hammer at Hampton Court Palace in Richmond upon Thames, south-west London, on 17 November.

Clarabelle and nearly 20 other unusual beasts will be auctioned by Ewbank’s as part of the Cow Parade initiative which raises money for good causes worldwide.

See also: 10 ways farmers can get help from Rabi

Made from fibreglass, the eye-catching animal was hand-painted by artist Lauren Terry and has an estimate price of between £6,000 and £10,000.

Clarabelle and Lauren Terry

The money raised from Clarabelle’s sale will go to the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (Rabi) and the Surrey Hills Trust Fund which, established in partnership with the Community Foundation for Surrey, aims to conserve and protect the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Organisers say the cow would make a great attraction at a property such as a farm shop, agricultural college, auction mart, county show or even company headquarters.

“Farming is such an important part of our British way of life, it cannot be allowed to fall into decline,” says Lauren, who aimed to make the design fun while also conveying the economic importance of farming to the region.

“My greatest supporters from the very beginning have been cattle farmers. Rabi does good work every day and I take great comfort knowing that the money I raise is going directly to the farming community.

“Cows have such a curious nature and humorous personalities, they just make me smile. I take great pleasure in passing on those smiles through my painting.”

One of the other lots up for grabs at the Hampton Court event will be a cow designed by world-renowned artist Alexander Cresswell, which has an estimate of £20,000 to £40,000.