- 462
Collective Farm Women, or Voroshilov's Markswomen, Lomonosov State Porcelain Manufactory, Leningrad, 1938-1941
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- porcelain
- height 23.5cm, 9 1/4 in.
after a 1938 design by Natalia Danko, stamped black factory mark, numbered 34 or 3Y in green overglaze
Exhibited
Hillwood Museum, no. 45; Pushkin Museum, no. 41
Literature
Oda k Radosti/Ode to Joy, pp. 202-203, cat. no. 134; for comparison, see Nosovich and Popova, p. 565.
Condition
overall very good condition; a small inherent firing flaw to back of base near standing figure's heel, the base of the kneeling figure's rifle with a small chip
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
This design was conceived by Natalia Danko in the autumn of 1938 in response to the campaigns for military preparation among civilians. In the late thirties the Russian public and politicians were gripped with a fear of war. Germany was by no means the only threat, between 1938 and 1941 Soviet forces were engaged in battles on almost every border, fighting against Poland, Finland, and even Japan during the Winter War of 1939-1940.
Military training, including instruction in the maintainance and use of a rifle, the proper use of a gas mask and basic first-aid, was made mandatory for all workers. Originally intended for army staff who had achieved a high level of proficiency in marksmanship, the Voroshilov Marksman award had been inaugurated in 1931 and was named after Kliment Voroshilov, People's Commissar of Defense (see lot 587). By 1933 the program was open to all, under the management of Osoaviakhim, a volunteer paramilitary self-defense organization. A potential Voroshilov Marksman had to complete courses on military theory, theory of sharpshooting, and be able to score at least 45 bulls-eyes out of 50 attempts. Suitable candidates would only be granted the final award if they met elevated production goals in their work, known as shock-workers.
The alert posture of the figures in the present model, suggesting that they are patrolling their local district for potential invaders, has led some observers to rename the composition On Guard in the Collective Farm Fields (Na strazhe kolkhoznogo polia); when the sculpture's completion was announced in the factory newspaper, however, it was referred to as Kolkhoznitsy-Voroshilovskie strelki. See "V neskol'ko strok," Lomonosovets 7 October 1938, 4.
Military training, including instruction in the maintainance and use of a rifle, the proper use of a gas mask and basic first-aid, was made mandatory for all workers. Originally intended for army staff who had achieved a high level of proficiency in marksmanship, the Voroshilov Marksman award had been inaugurated in 1931 and was named after Kliment Voroshilov, People's Commissar of Defense (see lot 587). By 1933 the program was open to all, under the management of Osoaviakhim, a volunteer paramilitary self-defense organization. A potential Voroshilov Marksman had to complete courses on military theory, theory of sharpshooting, and be able to score at least 45 bulls-eyes out of 50 attempts. Suitable candidates would only be granted the final award if they met elevated production goals in their work, known as shock-workers.
The alert posture of the figures in the present model, suggesting that they are patrolling their local district for potential invaders, has led some observers to rename the composition On Guard in the Collective Farm Fields (Na strazhe kolkhoznogo polia); when the sculpture's completion was announced in the factory newspaper, however, it was referred to as Kolkhoznitsy-Voroshilovskie strelki. See "V neskol'ko strok," Lomonosovets 7 October 1938, 4.