Peter Stone Horses

Peter Stone Horses: A Legacy of Handcrafted Equine Art

Peter Stone Horses, now widely known as Stone Horses, is a celebrated American brand of model horses with a rich history rooted in a family tradition of equine artistry. Based in Shipshewana, Indiana, the company has built a reputation for producing high-quality, handcrafted, and hand-painted model horses that are highly sought after by collectors worldwide. 🐎

Peter Stone Horses

A Family Tradition of Model Making

The story of Peter Stone Horses is an extension of a legacy that began with Sam Stone, Peter's father. In 1950, Sam founded what is considered the first model horse company in America. Peter, inspired by his father's work, carried on the tradition of creating realistic and artistic horse models. He and his wife, Elaine, established their own company to continue this craft, focusing on a unique blend of artistry and authenticity.

The Art of Creation

What sets Peter Stone Horses apart is its meticulous, hands-on approach to production. Unlike mass-produced models, each Stone Horse is considered a unique piece of art.

Molds and Materials: The process begins with detailed steel casting molds, which are costly to create and maintain. The models are crafted from high-quality materials like cellulose acetate resins.
Handcrafted Details: After being molded, each horse undergoes extensive customization, including sculpting, sanding, and washing, to prepare it for painting.
Artisan Painting: A team of skilled artists, and often guest artists, hand-paint every detail, from the dapples on a coat to the subtle shading of a mane. This individual artistry ensures that no two horses are exactly alike.
Limited Editions: The company often produces models in very limited runs, or as one-of-a-kind (OOAK) pieces, making them especially valuable to collectors. They also offer a "Design a Horse" line, allowing customers to create their own custom models.

Product Lines and Scales

Peter Stone Horses are available in a variety of scales, catering to different collector preferences. The three main sizes are:

Traditional: This is the largest size, around 1:9 scale. These models are the most popular for collecting and showing.
Pebbles: A slightly smaller scale, these models are a little larger than the Breyer "Paddock Pal" size, typically ranging from 4 to 6 inches in height.
Chips: The smallest models, at around 2 to 3 inches tall, similar in scale to Breyer "Stablemates."

In addition to their standard models, the company also creates special fantasy and holiday-themed pieces, as well as models based on specific horse breeds.

The Collector Community

The Peter Stone Horses brand has cultivated a passionate and dedicated community of collectors. Websites and online databases, like StoneHorseRef, serve as a valuable resource for enthusiasts to track models, share photos, and trade horses. The value of a Peter Stone horse can vary greatly depending on its rarity, condition, and the artist who painted it. The company's focus on quality, individuality, and artistic integrity has secured its place as a cornerstone of the model horse collecting world.