The Artist, from whom acquired by Dorothy Elmhirst in 1939 for £60.0.0
Gifted by Dorothy Elmhirst to The Dartington Hall Trust, 25th March 1965

Dartington Hall, The Exhibition Gallery, An Exhibition of Painting and Sculpture 1900-1947, June 1947, cat. no.37;
London, Open Air Exhibition at Battersea Park, 1948 (probably);
Dartington Great Hall, c1960s - possibily 1990s;
Dartington Hall, High Cross House, c1995 - 2010.

The sculpture is generally in good original condition. There are a few isolated naturally occurring surface cracks to the wood, visible upon close inspection. These include cracks to the top of the head, one to the forehead, to the pelvis, to the right arm, and to the left leg. There are also cracks to the right shoulder blade, with a resultant tiny loss. The work has a mellow dark brown patination which appears to be from polishing and handling over time. There are a few surface scuffs, the surface is dirty and there is a speck of surface matter to the left hand but there is no obvious damage. On the points of his shoulder blades, back of head and buttock are slightly rubbed. There is evidence of old wood worm on the side of the left buttock, which does not appear to be active. Please telephone the department on 020 7293 6424 if you have any questions regarding the present work.
"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."

'Dear Mrs. Elmhirst,

I am really happy that I am introduced to you and to your husband, just because I feel how you did so very well for this part of country and how all people here lives happy and content. I feel it really is a pleasur(sic) to give to you a little work, a work, which I was only able to make here.

Yours very sincerely
Wilhelm So♛ukop' (Willi Soukop, letter to Dorothy Elmhirst, 15th July 1934)