TWO DUTCH DELFT POLYCHROME FIGURAL CISTERNS MID-18TH CENTURY

Each fitted with a brass spigot. 

Sotheby's, New York, Collection of Israel Sack, Inc., January 20, 2002, lot 1156.

The male: has four chips of various sizes and some chipping to the rim. He is possibly lacking his cover. The tip of his nose has glaze abrasions. The yellow has slightly misfired. An approximate 10-inch long section at the base has been broken at the rim edge and through his left ankle and glued back; there are associated small chips and haircracks. There is a small bruise chip to his jacket on his left side issuing extended forking haircracks, one of which runs down on the side of his left leg. There is another 2 1/2-inch haircrack running up from the footrim and ending on the right side of his right ankle. The female: has occasional glaze abrasions or chips to the rim edges as well as the edges of her clothes. It has been broken into multiple pieces and glued back together with associated chips at breakpoints.
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.

See previous page for an illustration of this lot.

An example similarly modelled as a man holding his belly and with comparable facial expression was sold at Christie's London, February 23, 1981, lot 33 and another at Christie's Amsterdam, July 4, 1996, lot 490. The female versions of this type appear to include examples modelled as seated women covering their breasts with their right hands; the present example with the figure's exposed breast and hands resting on her skirt seems to be an unusual model.