Joseph Nollekens (1737-1823) British, 1807

Overall the condition of the marble is very good with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There is some veining to the marble consistent with the material, in particular to the chest, drapery at the chest and the nose. There are a few small naturally occurring inclusions in particular to the face. There is a larger filled inclusion to the proper left cheek. There is some yellowing to the marble including to the drapery on the proper right side and to Pitt's head on the proper right side. There are a few small dirt marks. The hair is beautifully carved and is largely in excellent condition.
"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."

Joseph Nollekens was the pre-eminent British portrait sculptor of his day, a view supported by the Romantic painter Henry Fuseli's comment that, 'in a bust he stands unrivalled ... [for] a group of figures, I should have recommended Flaxman; but for a bust, give me Nollekens' (Smith, op. cit. p. 233). The sculptor's bust of Pitt, Britain's youngest Prime Minister, is one of his most celebrated models; the prime version was carved in 1806 and is in the collection of the Earl and Countess of Rosebery at Dalmeny House, near Edinburgh. The present bust exhibits some particularly fine passages of carving in the hair.

RELATED LITERATURE
J. Kenworthy-Browne, 'Nollekens, Joseph (1737-1823)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford, 2004; online edn 2010;
J. T. Smith, Nollekens and his Times, London, 1949, p. 233