Overall in good condition, consistent with age. When viewed in person, the surfaces present with a slightly paler brass tonality to the point of being almost silver in certain lighting conditions. The overall shape of the form is constantly evolving as one walks around it and difficult to convey via the catalogue illustration. Please ask a member of the department for additional photographs. The melt-coated brass "squares" of the cloud with corrosion and losses to the brass surface as is visible in the detailed catalogue illustration. The piece has been professionally cleaned to remove excess dust. Several horizontal wires have slightly bent out of form through the years (visible in the detailed photograph on p. 311), but is not visually detrimental to the composition. The piece is hung via a piece of contemporary fishing line, to provide a sense of floating and airiness for the sculpture as intended by the artist. The piece has been reviewed by the Bertoia Foundation and it is believed to be the example from Bertoia's private collection, photographed of his pond at his Pennsylvania home, prior to being shipped down to Venezuela for exhibition. An imaginative piece that captures Bertoia's fascination with nature as well as demonstrates his technical abilities as an expert sculptor in metal.
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.