This is an original, exceedingly rare, work of art bronze sculpture by Great Falls, Montana artist, M.C. Heikka. This piece is titled "Surprised" and shows a Montana cowboy trying to stay in his saddle while his horse rears back at the sight of a coiled rattlesnake. The bronze shows incredible talent as Heikka portrays the action of the cowboy being lifted from the saddle and his hat flying off his head while he grips the reins with all his might. In addition, the bronze has been hand colored. The piece has been signed "MC Heikka" and numbered 9/36 and shows good condition. This is a very rare, life time bronze and is considered one of his finer pieces. The piece is believed to be created by M.C. Heikka, son to Earle E. Heikka or signed in the unusual “M.C.” by Heikka. The father’s, Earle Heikka’s, bronzes have sold at auction for over $23,000. When he was only nineteen years old, Earle Heikka attracted the attention of William A. Clark III, the grandson of Butte copper king, W. A. Clark. With Clark as his patron, Heikka began to achieve some recognition. With men like Marshall Field, Gary Cooper, and Con Kelley commissioning his work, Heikka's career seemed assured. But then on May 18, 1941, the young artist killed himself, ending his short but brilliant career. Heikka is in the ranks with C.M. Russell as one of Montana’s greatest artist, with his work having such great talent and his observation of a passing era of the American Cowboy being timeless. It measures 5" x 13.5" and is 18" tall. Earle Heikka bronzes have sold at auction for over $23,000.