Alexander Calder

Mayor Gallery, London
Sir Kenneth Clark (later Lord Clark), London
By descent to the present owner from the above

This work is in very good condition overall. The ring is irregularly hammered, as is inherent to the artist's working method. The variations to the patina are also original to the artist's chosen medium.
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.

Kenneth Clark (1903-1983) was an aesthete with an acute intelligence and a wide range of artistic tastes, and the inherited wealth both to indulge his likes and to act as a patron to artists such as Moore, Sutherland and Pasmore. Though primarily known for his seminal television series Civilisation, Lord Clark held a variety of important and scholarly positions within the British art establishment including, at the age of 31, being Director of the National Gallery; he was also a prolific lecturer and author on the Arts - and he used and promoted the Arts when he worked for the Ministry of Information during the Second World War.

This whimsical and elegant spiral ring by Alexander Calder is a key part of the collection and is emblematic of Lord Clark's impeccable taste and aesthetic.

Over the period from November 2014 until February 2015 a number of select pieces will be offered by Sotheby's London from the Clark family collection, in addition to the present lot: an initial from a Renaissance Choirbook (contact: Mara.Hofmann@sothebys.com); a Robert Adam book on Diocletian's palace from the Kimbolton Castle Library (Roger.Griffiths@sothebys.com); Victorian pictures by Huskisson, Alma-Tadema, Nicol and Richmond (Simon.Toll@sothebys.com); a Meissen model of the Gellert Monument and a documentary Derby goat by Willems (Richard.Hird@sothebys.com); a 15th Century mother-of-pearl roundel (Erik.Bijzet@sothebys.com); a Moore, Piper and Nolan within the Modern British Art auction (Simon.Hucker@sothebys.com); and a Cezanne, Bonnard and Miró within the February 2015 Impressionist & Modern Art auctions (Eva.Donnerhack@sothebys.com). There is also a silver marriage schauguldiner coin being offered by Sotheby's associates Morton & Eden (james@mortonandeden.com).