Max Ernst
(German, 1891–1976)
Masque I — 1459
Sale 1175 - European Art
May 18, 2023
10:00AM CT
Live / Chicago
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Estimate
$8,000 -
12,000
Price Realized
$11,340
Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium
Lot Description
Max Ernst
(German, 1891–1976)
Masque I — 1459
23k gold medallion
signed Max Ernst and stamped with Atelier Hugo reference number 2256/1459, edition 4/8; stamped with François Hugo goldsmith's mark and assay mark (verso)
2 1/4 x 2 1/2 inches.
Property from the Collection of Gayle Gordon Nering, Naples, Florida
Conceived 1959, this example was cast 1979. It is accompanied by a wooden presentation box with a handwritten label: Or 23 carats. 923 millièmes, Poids 18,5gs. Exemplaire No. 4/8; Poinçon 1er titre du Bureau de la Garantie de Marseille Pièce No. 2256/1459 portant la signature de Max Ernst, et le Poinçon de Maître de François Hugo. Fait dans ses atelier d'Aix en Provence en 1979.
Provenance:
Sold: Christie's, New York, February 18, 1988, Lot 131
Collection of Martin Gordon, founder and publisher of Gordon's Print Price Annual and a co-founder of the International Fine Print Dealer's Association.
Literature:
Werner Spies, Sigrid Metken, and Günter Metken, Max Ernst, Œuvre - Katalog, Werke 1954-1963, Houston, 1998, p. 385, no. 3788.I, another cast illustrated
Lot note:
Ernst’s love of masks and carvings, among many of his collecting passions, were addressed in the first series of masks created with François Hugo between 1959 and 1961 and then a second around 1970, both transposed into jewels by Pierre Hugo.
Condition Report
Auction Specialist