Attributed to Sir Jacob Epstein

Epstein leased Deerhurst (50 Baldwins Hill, Loughton) from 1922. It is likely that when the lease was terminated in 1950 the sculpture was left, alongside Frog and a broken torso, in lieu of sums owing for repair and maintenance.

Sale, Sotheby's London, details untraced

The Sandford Gallery, London whence purchased by the present owner in 1981

Richard Buckle, Jacob Epstein, Sculptor, Faber & Faber Ltd, London, p.122-123, no.191, illustration of the finished version
Evelyn Silber, The Sculpture of Epstein, Phaidon. Oxford, 1986, no.136, illustration of the finished version

The work is carved out of one piece of marble. It is fairly roughly hewn consistent with its nature as a working model for the later finished work. On the underside of the female arm there is evidence of what appears to be light brown plaster added to the surface, perhaps to stabalise it.
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The work seemingly depicts the arms and hands of Epstein and Kathleen Garman as they appear identical to those in the 1923 finished version. It is conceivable that it was intended as a trial which Epstein later abandoned but it might have been done in 1948 when Epstein's daughter suggested using the carving as a memorial to the first Mrs Epstein who had recently died - a very odd idea given that it depicted or referred to the passionate relationship between Kathleen and Epstein which Mrs Epstein had reluctantly tolerated. The idea was never carried through but it is just possible that Epstein might have made a start on a second version for the Memorial and then thought better of it.

The general idea of doing fragmentary arms may well have been inspired by the massive Egyptian piece in the British Museum, solitary remnant arm from a monumental sculpture. An assiduous visitor to the British Museum collections all his life, Epstein was exceptionally keen on ancient Egyptian carving.

We are grateful to Evelyn Silber for her kind assistance with the cataloguing of this lot.