Sebastian Kuhn
Department Director
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Lot 88
Max Esser (1885-1945): Croix d'autel en bronze, circa 1929-1930
Max Esser (1885-1945): A bronze Altar Cross, circa 1929-1930
Max Esser (1885-1945): A bronze Altar Cross, circa 1929-1930
Amended
14 – 15 April 2022, 14:00 CEST
Paris, Rue de la PaixSold for €2,805 inc. premium
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Sophie von der Goltz
Head of Sale
Nette Megens
Head of Department, Director
Max Esser (1885-1945): Croix d'autel en bronze, circa 1929-1930
Max Esser (1885-1945): A bronze Altar Cross, circa 1929-1930
Max Esser (1885-1945): A bronze Altar Cross, circa 1929-1930
Inscribed "INRI" within a sunburst, the shaft with thorns at the front, on a rectangular base and stepped plinth, ca. 75cm high
Footnotes
Provenance:
Max Esser (1885-1945);
Acquired directly from the Estate of the artist
On 15 December 1929, a new and modern Protestant church was consecrated in Berlin-Schmargendorf, for which the altar garniture was commissioned from Max Essser. He designed a five-metre high porcelain cross and four bronze sculptures of the symbols of the Evangelists, as well as various other altar vessels. On 31 August 1931, Esser wrote to Max Adolf Pfeiffer: "I have to work extraordinarily hard to finish everything; I shall be finished with the work in the church in about 14 days and everything will be very beautiful in the real material. The altar looks very beautiful with the large brass embossed top and the brass base for the cross. The silver vessels for the church are also finished and at the moment on display. Also three of the symbols of the Evangelists in bronze are finished, also the baptismal font is finished. The church itself is already so advanced that the painters are there. Now I'm worried about the cross, especially as I've heard that the two end pieces of the crossbar have cracked in the firing. The church should definitely be consecrated by the end of November" (quoted by Marusch-Krohn 1993, p. 111).
The monumental porcelain cross was destroyed in the war. Esser made a smaller version in porcelain in 1930 (67cm high) of the same design: it and this bronze version are perhaps after a maquette for the original monumental cross.
Saleroom notices
Veuillez noter qu'il s'agit d'une croix en alliance de metal et pas d'un bronze comme indiqué dans le catalogue. Please note, the cross is an alloy of metal and not bronze as stated in the catalogue.
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