Simon Troger (1683-1768), Austrian, mid-18th century

Sir Henry Edward Barker KB, KCMG (1872-1945), Alexandria, Egypt;
and thence by descent

Overall the condition of the figures is very good. There is some minor wear and dirt consistent with age. There are a few minor hairline fissures visible on the surface consistent with age. The wood and ivory was carved in sections; a few joints are visible. A small irregularity in the proper right upper leg of the figure with both arms otstreched was excavated and dowelled. The toes of this figures proper right foot and those of both feet of the one with a flask were reattached.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The juxtaposition of these two figures, one sombre, the other jovial, possibly indicates that they represent the crying and laughing philosophers, Heraclitus and Democritus. This was a popular subject in painting from the sixteenth century onwards, with images of the two philosophers often being modelled on the concept of Greek dialogue.

Throughout his career, Troger repeated his models. The present figure holding a drinking flask has an almost identical pose, with outstretched arm and turned head, to one found in a larger group that was sold in these rooms on 7^th July 1988 (lot 305) and had previously been on loan to the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum in Munich. Likewise, the extended arms of the hooded figure can be compared to a similar figure from a group in a private collection, illustrated by Philippovich (op. cit.). Conceptually, the two figures resemble a further pair by Troger also included in Philippovich (op. cit.), and a female figure in the Reiner Winkler Collection, Munich.

RELATED LITERATURE
E. von Philippovich, Elfenbein, Munich, 1982, pp. 323, 383, fig. 270-1, 332;
C. Theuerkauff, Elfenbein. Sammlung Reiner Winkler, Munich, 1984, pp. 136-8, fig. 73