Charles-Henri-Joseph Cordier

L. de Margerie and É. Papet, Facing the Other. Charles Cordier. Ethnographic Sculptor, exh. cat. Musée d'Orsay, Paris, Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, Québec City, and Dahesh Museum of Art, New York, 2004, p. 144, no. 7

Overall the condition of the bronze is good with some dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. The bronze is cast in sections, and original joints are slightly visible, including at the African child's upper arms. Some original casting pins are slightly visible, including to the African child's forehead, his proper left calf, and the European child's proper left back of the knee. There is some rubbing to the patina at the high points. There is dryness to the patina in areas, including to the African child's proper left elbow, his proper right calf, his forehead, and the European child's buttocks. There is some greening to the hair of the European child and another small area of greening to the African child's loincloth. There is an area of scratching to the European child's proper left foot and the base. There is an area of spots of black pigment to the forehead of the African child; where these have rubbed off, small sections of the patina have been lost.
"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."