Beschreibung:

Property from a Private CollectionJudy Kensley McKie"Polar Bear" Bench
1997number 4 from an edition of 6marblemonogrammed ©JKM, dated 1997 and numbered 4/620½ x 72⅝ x 20 in. (52.1 x 184.5 x 50.8 cm)Condition reportOverall in very good condition. The marble surfaces have recently been sensitively cleaned by a professional stone conservator to restore their bright original appearance. When viewed firsthand, the marble displays variegated hues of white, gray and beige with veining that is inherent to the stone selection and enhances the naturalistic form. The marble presents with occasional spotty discolorations, not visually distracting and consistent with outdoor use. The marble presents with scattered surface scratches, minor abrasions and light surface soiling throughout consistent with age and gentle use. The snout of the polar bear presents with a few slightly more pronounced abrasions and associated small chips to the marble, not visually distracting. The proper left front foot presents with a very small loss to the marble measuring approximately ¼ in., only visible upon close inspection. A whimsical and sculptural work by Judy Kensley McKie
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation. The condition report is a statement of opinion only. For that reason, the condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.ProvenancePritam & Eames, East Hampton, New York
Acquired from the above by the present ownerLiteratureVirginia T. Boyd, Contemporary Studio Case Furniture: The Inside Story, Madison, 2002, p. 14, fig. 2
Judy Kensley McKie: Cast of Characters, exh. cat., Museum of Craft and Design, San Francisco, 2018, n.p. (for the model in the collections of the Toledo Art Museum)Catalogue noteSelf-taught in the art of furniture making, Judy Kensley McKie imagined her first zoomorphic design in the 1970s and became an acclaimed figure in the American studio craft movement. Her whimsical oeuvre is inspired by the animal kingdom; wood, bronze and stone are shaped into horses, monkeys, cats and more, blurring the distinction between sculpture and functional object. For the present bench, McKie carved the elongated, muscular body of a polar bear from a slab of marble. The white color of the stone with light gray veining immediately mimics the bear's snowy fur, while its cold, smooth finish evokes an Arctic habitat. McKie transforms the apex predator into a friendly companion with the addition of small circular eyes and a toothy grin. Such bas-relief details are characteristic of McKie's work and reflective of her playful approach: “the more carving there is, the happier I am.” The “Polar Bear” bench, an example of which is in the collections of the Toledo Museum of Art, presents an opportunity to acquire an exquisite masterwork by the endlessly creative female designer.