Lot 1396 , § Denis Mitchell (1912-1993) Gurnic, overall 11.25in.

§ Denis Mitchell (1912-1993)
bronze,
'Gurnic',
initialled and dated '70, numbered 2, on black slate plinth,
overall 11.25in.
Estimate £7,000-9,000

Denis Mitchell was a member of the St Ives Group and Dame Barbara Hepworth's chief assistant between 1949 and 1960.
Gurnic was cast as an edition of six, this example exhibits the contrast between the highly polished and the patinated surface complexity. The inspiration for this and other sculptures of the era was the prominent stone monoliths to be found in and around Penwith, Cornwall.

Exhibited:
The British Council, Denis Mitchell: An Exhibition of Sculpture and Drawings, 1973, cat no 12, page 14, touring to - Malta, Cyprus, Greece, Yugoslavia, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Zealand and Korea (another cast).

Swansea, Glynn Vivian Art Gallery and Museum, Festival Exhibition of Sculpture by Denis Mitchell, 6 October - 3 November 1979, cat no 20, illustrated (another cast).

See Bonhams sale June 4, 2013 Lot 45 for another example from this series.



A few very small dirt or oxidisation specks showing on the more highly polished sides of the bronze but no other faults noted, the patination all appears to be as per original, black slate plinth again original with a few fine hairline faults running through it but no damage, green baize to the base worn with age. Overall a handsome example of this artists work in good honest condition.
Comes for sale from a small Private collection of works collected by a couple who always holidayed in Cornwall and purchased a work of art every year including Lots 1391 - Bryan Pearce, Lot 1392 - Barnes Graham and 1390 - James Lloyd


Descriptions provided in both printed and on-line catalogue formats do not include condition reports. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Interested bidders are strongly encouraged to request a condition report on any lots upon which they intend to bid, prior to placing a bid. All transactions are governed by Gorringes Conditions of Sale.

Sold for £9,500