Untitled (Sonambient), circa 1965

This early Sonambient, rare by its material, black monel, and its unusual knob tops, was set aside by Harry Bertoia in his storage barn, as one of the works he liked and saved for his family. The tonal sculpture and the previous Gong by Harry Bertoia (lot 69), were donated to the prestigious Purnell School by his son, the sculptor Val Bertoia, in 1998. Val’s daughter, Kyndi, graduated from the school that year and her father thought the works would inspire future students enrolled in the school’s art program. Tragically, Kyndi passed away in 2001 at the age of 21. In her memory, Purnell features a Bertoia Night of Creativity, an event that annually celebrates “not only the life of one talented young woman who loved the arts, but also the power of creativity in all of us.” The two dynamic works offered here have brought great joy to the school.

This lot is sold together with a copy of a title of authentication from Val Bertoia and a certificate of authenticity from the Harry Bertoia Foundation, Bozeman, Montana.