A Meissen Marcolini model of the Third Gellert Monument, circa 1778

modelled by Michel-Victor Acier, in the form of a sarcophagus upon which are two classical female figures allegorical of Chastity and Religion (or Faith) together holding a portrait medallion of the poet Gellert, elevated on a detached rectangular altar, both pieces bearing crossed swords and star mark in underglaze blue, the base with an additional II.

From the Collection of Lord Clark, OM;
Thence by descent

 

The separate base has a series of extended firing cracks which have been repaired. The left side of the crucifix is damaged, which may have occurred during the firing process.
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Christian Fürchtegott Gellert (1715-69) was a prominent European poet of the eighteenth century, his work mainly of a religious nature. Three monuments to him were commissioned at Meissen, the first being modelled by J.J Kändler and Jüchtzer in 1775; the second by Acier in 1777; and the third also by Acier in 1778. The present model is after the Gellert Memorial of the Johanniskirche, Leipzig by Friedrich Samuel Schlegel. The Church and part of the monument were destroyed by bombing in the Second World War. All three Meissen examples are illustrated by Rainer Rückert, Meissener Porzellan, 1966, nos. 1031, 1032 and 1040. See also Berling, Festschrift zur 200 jährigen Jubelfeier der ältesten europäischen Porzellanmanufaktur Meissen, 1910, S74 fig. 169; Sauerlandt, Deutsche Porzellanfiguren des XVIII. Jahrhunderts, 1923; and Erichsen-Firle, Figurliches Porzellan(in the Kunstgewerbemuseum der Stadt Köln) fig. 154.

Kenneth Clark (1903-1983) was an aesthete with an acute intelligence and a wide range of artistic tastes, and the inherited wealth both to indulge his likes and to act as a patron to artists such as Moore, Sutherland and Pasmore. Though primarily known for his seminal television series Civilisation, Lord Clark held a variety of important and scholarly positions within the British art establishment including, at the age of 31, being Director of the National Gallery; he was also a prolific lecturer and author on the Arts - and he used and promoted the Arts when he worked for the Ministry of Information during the Second World War.

Over the period from November 2014 until February 2015 a number of select pieces will be offered by Sotheby's London from the Clark family collection: an initial from a medieval choir book (contact Mara.Hoffmann@sothebys.com); a Robert Adam book on Diocletian's palace from the Kimbolton Castle Library (Roger.Griffiths@sothebys.com); Victorian pictures by Huskisson, Alma-Tadema, Nicol and Richmond (Simon.Toll@sothebys.com); a Meissen model of the Gellert Monument and a documentary Derby goat by Willems (Richard.Hird@sothebys.com); a 15th Century mother-of-pearl roundel (Erik.Bijzet@sothebys.com); a brass ring by Alexander Calder being offered by our New York Contemporary Department (Katherine.Trezza@sothebys.com); a Moore, Piper and Nolan within the Modern British auction (Simon.Hucker@sothebys.com); and a Cezanne, Bonnard and Miro within the February 2015 Impressionist auctions (Eva.Donnerhack@sothebys.com). There is also a silver marriage schauguldiner coin being offered by Sotheby's associates Morton & Eden (james@mortonandeden.com).