Harry Bertoia - Design New York Tuesday, June 7, 2022 | Phillips

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  • Provenance

    Acquired directly from the artist, 1973-1977

  • Literature

    Nancy N. Schiffer and Val O. Bertoia, The World of Bertoia, Atglen, 2003, p. 3 for a similar example

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present Sonambient sounding sculpture is a rare and early example, offering multiple pitches, notes, and tones in a micro-chromatic range from C# to E. It can be played across the top with one finger, while the wooden box, made by musician David Moss, acts as a resonator when the sculpture is placed on top.

    This is the first Sonambient that Bertoia gifted to Moss. Constructed of hundreds of rods ranging from five to eight inches high, each surmounted with a unique droplet of metal, it may be the only Sonambient to feature such a wide range of pitches.

Property from the Collection of David Moss

67

Rare "Sonambient" sounding sculpture

1970s
Nickel alloy, copper, bronze.
9 x 8 1/8 x 8 1/8 in. (22.9 x 20.6 x 20.6 cm)
Together with a certificate of authenticity from the Harry Bertoia Foundation and with a crate made by the owner.

Estimate
$20,000 - 30,000 

Sold for $75,600

Contact Specialist

Benjamin Green
Associate Specialist

Associate Head of Sale

bgreen@phillips.com
+1 917 207 9090

Design

New York Auction 7 June 2022