Henry Moore, O.M., C.H.

Private Collection
Philip Burman, Alanstown, USA

Alan Bowness (ed.), Henry Moore, Complete Sculpture, 1980-86, Lund Humphries, London, 1999, vol.3, no.380, illustrated p.21 (another cast).

Dirt has gathered in some of the crevices but the sculpture is in good overall condition. Please telephone the department on 020 7293 5381 if you have any questions regarding the present work.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Conceived in 1955 and cast in an edition of 9.

The present work is one of a series of thirteen maquettes produced by Moore in response to a commission from Olivetti to produce a sculpture for their offices in Milan. Having visited the site, he found a lone Lombardy poplar tree growing nearby which 'convinced me that a vertical work would act as the correct counterfoil to the horizontal rhythm of the building' (the artist, quoted in Philip James (ed.), Henry Moore on Sculpture, Macdonald, London 1966, p.253). Of this group, five were enlarged to over two metres tall and cast in bronze. Moore acknowledged their likeness to totems, the forms being piled one upon the other, giving each face of the sculpture a distinct character.