They were discovered in a Connecticut home and have come from the descendants of New York socialite and philanthropist Vera List, an avid collector of Modernism.
List was an early patron of Moore. In 1961 she and her husband sponsored the commission of a large-scale Reclining Figure that was installed in the reflecting pool of New York City’s Lincoln Center.
'Rocking Chairs', a Henry Moore mixed-media composition on paper which is expected to realise $100,000-200,000 at Shannon's on October 28.
The two works on offer at Shannon’s are an 8¼ (21cm) high bronze, Mother and Child on Ladderback Rocking Chair, which is estimated at $400,000-600,000, and Rocking Chairs, a mixed-media composition on paper which is expected to realise between $100,000-200,000.
Moore created the sculpture in 1952 shortly after the birth of his daughter. The drawing was executed in 1948, four years before the bronze and is extensively documented.
The Lists purchased works directly from Curt Valentin (Moore’s NYC dealer) through his gallery, Buchholz. The bronze, a rare example from an edition of 10 cast by the artist, was purchased from Buchholz in 1952 while the drawing was purchased there in 1951.
