The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes of Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This painting on panel has been restored. The texture to the work seems to be applied to the panel by the artist himself. One can see on the reverse that similar cross hatching has been scratched into the wood to create this texture. The work is clean and has been retouched and varnished. Under ultraviolet light, one can see that very accurate and fine retouches have been added in the upper background and in the darker colors, mostly in the side of the shelf, and in the darker shadows of the shells. However, the shells themselves seem to be nicely preserved. The restoration seems to be very accurate. The signature does not seem to have been retouched, and although there are retouches around it, the inscription itself seems healthy.
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."