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Lot 252: MAHLER, GUSTAV (1860-1911, Bohemian composer and conductor)

Est: £0 GBP - £0 GBPSold:
BonhamsLondon, United KingdomOctober 03, 2005

Item Overview

Description

PORTRAIT BY BENNO ELKAN (1877-1960),
cast bronze medallion, obverse: head in profile facing left, signed 'Benno Elkan' and with the sitter's name in the lower field, reverse: a naked figure being consumed by fire, inscribed 'Lucendo ipsius igni consumptus', and with Mahler's dates in Roman numerals and the medallist's initials, 5 in (12.7 cm) diameter, excellent colour and patination.

Artist or Maker

Notes


PROVENANCE: Paul Niggl Collection.

REFERENCE: Niggl 1230.

This portrait, the most powerful medallic image of Mahler, is rare (especially in bronze) and is considered to rank among the finest of Benno Elkan's works, all of which were produced in small numbers. Elkan fled Germany in 1933 and settled in England. He was a leader in the revival of medals and plaquettes in the early twentieth century.

The naked figure on the reverse being consumed by fire is an allegory of Mahler's early death from consumption.

Auction Details

The Roy Davids Collection

by
Bonhams
October 03, 2005, 12:00 AM EST

101 New Bond Street, London, LDN, W1S 1SR, UK