Naum Slutzky

Acquired from the designer by Fritz Schleiffer, circa 1930
Thence by descent to the present owner

Naum Slutzky, Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg, May 11-July 2, 1995

Erika Billeter, Die Zwanziger Jahre Kontraste Eines Jahrzehnts, Zurich, 1973, p. 88 (for the model in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum)
Monika Rudolph, Naum Slutzky, Meister am Bauhaus Goldschmied und Designer, Stuttgart, 1990, p. 169 (for the model in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum)
Klaus Weber, ed. Die Metallwerkstatt am Bauhaus, Berlin, 1992, p. 268 (for the model in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum)
Christopher Wilk, ed. Modernism 1914-1939: Designing a New World, London, 2006, pp. 220-221 (for the model in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum)

Overall in very good original condition. The silver-plated surface with minor scratches and scattered oxidation points. Interior with oxidization and surface dirt. The rim, interior of lid and underside of foot with some wear showing base metal consistent with age and use. The rosewood finial shows wear to original finish, with a small loss to underside and a hairline crack that extends from the center to edge. The ebony banding at the base and top of handle shows some dryness. The lot includes a leather spout cover of unknown age.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Naum Slutzky's design of 1928 is one of the most iconic German teapots of the period.  After working as a master goldsmith in the Weimar Bauhaus he established himself independently in Hamburg in 1927.  Fritz Schleiffer was a former student of Slutzky's at the Bauhaus Metal workshops, and it was through their friendship that he came to acquire this teapot.

The present lot is one of three examples of this important teapot design known to exist.  One is in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum (CIRC.1232-1967), and the other was offered at Phillips de Pury & Company in June 2007.