- 20
Chopin, Frédéric
Estimate
2,500 - 3,000 GBP
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Description
- Chopin, Frédéric
- Lock of the composer's nut-brown hair, cut on the day of his death, and given by Princesse Marcelina Czartoryska to Teofil Kwiatkowski
- hair
the strands c.12 cms, secured with an old tie, in a folded wrapper inscribed "Cheveux de Fréderic Chopin, m. le 17. Octobre 1849", addressed to "Mr Kwiatkowski" (overall size: c.13 x 3.7cm folded)
Provenance
Sotheby's, 17 November 1983, lot 94: "the property of a descendant of Princesse Marcelina Czartoryska, who was one of Chopin's favourite pupils and who was present as his death".
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Teofil Kwiatkowski (1809-1891) painted a famous image of Chopin on his deathbed, attended by his sister Ludwika, Princess Marcelina Czartoryska, Albert Grzymala and himself, which is now in the Chopin Museum in Warsaw. Several watercolour sketches for this also exist. The address and description on the makeshift envelope is believed to be in the hand of the princess herself, although it is not certain that Kwiatkowski received the lock, since it was evidently returned to her family where it remained until 1983. On the same day Princess Czartoryska wrote a letter to Ludwika's family describing the scene.