C.D. Bond “Wet ’n Cold” Bronze Cowboy Sculpture, 1993

A finely detailed bronze sculpture titled “Wet ’n Cold” by Western artist Charles Dale Bond (American, b. 1932). Created in 1993 and cast by Skurja Art Castings, Prescott, Arizona, this evocative piece portrays a weary cowboy astride his horse, reins loose, his gear and posture reflecting fatigue and the harsh realities of weathered range life. Bond’s mastery of equine anatomy and gesture, rooted in a lifetime of ranching experience, lends exceptional authenticity to the composition.

The sculpture rests on an oval walnut base with a brass title plaque. It is signed, dated, and numbered 6/17 on the cast, corresponding to the artist’s original documentation. Accompanied by the Certificate of Authenticity signed by Bond and his wife, Audrey Bond, and a personal letter from the artist dated July 22, 1996.

Dimensions: 23" X 20.5" X 8.5"
Approx 50 lbs
Edition: 6 of 17, plus one artist’s proof.
Foundry: Skurja Art Castings, Prescott, AZ.

Condition:
Excellent condition overall, with no visible damage or restoration. Patina remains rich and consistent. The wooden base shows only minimal wear consistent with careful display. Includes original documentation and correspondence from the artist.

Provenance:
Originally purchased directly from the artist by Ben and Jean Rodgers, Albuquerque, NM, in 1996.
Documentation includes the artist’s signed Certificate of Authenticity and personal letter on studio stationery.

Artist Biography

C.D. (Charles Dale) Bond (American, b. 1932)
Western Sculptor – Ramah, New Mexico

Born in 1932 and raised on the Cloh Chin Toh (Timberlake) Ranch near Ramah, New Mexico, Charles Dale Bond grew up in a multigenerational ranching family deeply tied to the region’s livestock traditions. His father, Jimmie Bond, managed cattle operations for ranch owner Louis L. Dent, and Charles spent his youth riding, branding, and tending stock in the rugged mesas of western New Mexico. He married Audrey Bond in 1950, and together they continued ranching in Timberlake before Charles turned to sculpture later in life.

Working under the professional name C. D. Bond, he transformed his firsthand experience of cowboy life into detailed, narrative bronze sculptures cast through Skurja Art Castings in Prescott, Arizona. His works, including the notable “Wet ’n Cold” (1993), reveal both technical skill and lived understanding of the Western figure—depicting not mythic cowboys, but working horsemen shaped by the elements.

Bond and his wife Audrey managed their art and correspondence personally from their Ramah studio (P.O. Box 326, Ramah, NM), selling directly to collectors throughout the Southwest. His limited-edition bronzes, typically numbering fewer than twenty, have appeared in Western art collections and regional auctions, and are valued for their craftsmanship, authenticity, and deep connection to the realities of ranch life in mid-century New Mexico.