Henry Varnum Poor

Collection of Donald Deskey, New York

Home Show, American Union of Decorative Artists and Craftsman, Grand Central Palace, New York, March 31-April 4, 1930
Henry V. Poor, 1887-1970: A Retrospective Exhibition, Museum of Art, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, September 14-November 20, 1983; Western New York Forum for American Art, Buffalo, NY, December 11, 1983-February 5, 1984; Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse, NY, February 26-April 22, 1984; National Academy of Design, New York, May 10-July 1, 1984

Harold E. Dickson and Richard Porter, Henry V. Poor, 1887-1970:  A Retrospective Exhibition, exh. cat., Museum of Art, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 1983, p. 100 (for the present lot noted in the exhibition checklist)
David A. Hanks and Jennifer Toher, Donald Deskey:  Decorative Designs and Interiors, New York, 1987, p. 27 (for the present lot included in the Home Show exhibition of the American Union of Decorative Artists and Craftsmen, 1930)

Overall in good condition. The glazed surfaces with scattered inherent imperfection in the glaze work and some glaze pooling to the fan portion of the bowl which present slightly yellower in hue and are inherent in the making. The piece has been examined under black light and show no evidence of prior restoration, The edges with minor chips and glaze chips from gentle handling and some minor dulling to the glaze likely from use. The decoration is highly detailed and wonderfully atypical of the artist work. A beautiful work with great provenance.
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.

The present lot was formerly in the personal collection of Donald Deskey, and was included in the famed American Union of Decorative Artists and Craftsman exhibition in 1930. Donald Deskey selected Henry Varnum Poor as a collaborator for his remarkable interior design for Radio City Music Hall in New York.  Poor’s ceramics were utilized as table lamp bases placed throughout the commission.