623 - BERLIN GIPSFORMEREI

BERLIN GIPSFORMEREI Berlin Title: Early Ancient Plaster Copy of the Bust of Nefertiti. Date: Cast ca. 1921–25. Designer: Based on the model by Tina Haim-Wentscher, ca. 1920. Material: Plaster, polychromed with a beautiful patina. Dimensions: Height 60.5 cm. Mark: on the reverse, below: maker’s mark stamp of the replica workshop: “Weimar 1” (used until ca. 1925 according to the Staatliche Gipsformerei) and model no. 539. On the underside, painter’s mark “K.” Description: This copy of the antique original faithfully reproduces the chipping and damage found on the model, as well as the queen’s delicate facial features. A key feature of this version, however, is that the second eye—which remained concave and unfilled on the original—was sculpted in three dimensions and polychromed. Additionally, this version features a solidly cast base with a trompe-l’œil woodgrain finish. This bust is a historical copy of the ancient original, dating from between 1353 and 1336 BC, which was discovered in 1912 during excavations at Tell el-Amarna and has been part of the collection of the Egyptian Museum in Berlin since 1920. As early as 1913, the sculptor Tina Haim-Wentscher was commissioned to produce a copy of the famous bust. What are believed to be the first two casts were made of artificial stone and presented as gifts to James Simon, the financier of the excavation, and to Emperor Wilhelm II. The latter valued his bust so highly that, following his abdication in 1918, he took it with him into exile at Haus Doorn. In these early versions, the task was to restore the missing eye and repair damage, such as to the ears. In the early 1920s, Haim-Wentscher was then commissioned to produce a copy of the bust that was as faithful to the original as possible. This copy was based much more closely on the ancient original, although the left eye was also restored in this version (Dlugaiczyk, p. 171). An impressive testament to the great fascination exerted by the “colorful queen” even before her high-profile presentation at the Amarna exhibition in Berlin, scheduled for 1924, are the approximately 75 casts of the bust recorded in inventory book 401 of the Berlin plaster casting workshop between 1921 and 1922 alone (Dlugaiczyk, p. 169). A striking testament to the great fascination exerted by the “colorful queen” even before her high-profile presentation at the Amarna exhibition in Berlin, planned for 1924, are the approximately 75 casts of the bust recorded in inventory book 401 of the Berlin plaster casting workshop between 1921 and 1922 alone (Dlugaiczyk, p. 169). Since the bust in question here dates from the period between 1921 and 1925, it, too, originates from these early years of enthusiasm and the creation of legends. Provenance: - Private collection, Berlin. Bibliography: Dlugaiczyk, Martina: “Serial Star Nefertiti: New Sources on the 3D Reception of the Bust Prior to the 1924 Amarna Exhibition,” 2020, pp. 162–173, in Helfrich, Miguel, and Haak, Christina (eds.): Casting. An Analog Path into the Age of Digitalization? A Symposium on the Plaster Casting Workshop of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Heidelberg: arthistoricum.net, 2020, pp. 162–173. Estimated shipping costs for this lot: The lot is unsuitable for parcel shipping. Transportation only by a shipping company after consultation following the auction. Additional shipping insurance Shipping insurance up to a total invoice amount of 25,000 euros: max. 41.65 euros over a total invoice amount of 25,000 euros: 1.8 per thousand Shipping to the U.S. by individual arrangement after the auction. #Berlin Gipsformerei #Germany #Early Works of Art.