Tuesday 3 June 2025

Lot 178

Leslie Thornton, British 1925-2016 - Fall of Pompeii, c.1955-63; bronze, unique, H151 x W52 x D38...

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Lot 178

Leslie Thornton, 
British 1925-2016 - 
Fall of Pompeii, c.1955-63; 
bronze, unique, H151 x W52 x D38...

Starting Bid: £5,500

Estimate: £8,000 - £12,000

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Lot 178

Description

Leslie Thornton
British 1925-2016 - 

Fall of Pompeii, c.1955-63; 

bronze, unique, H151 x W52 x D38 cm (ARR) 

Provenance: 
private collection, purchased directly from the artist and thence by descent 

Note: 
with thanks to the Estate of the Artist for their assistance with the cataloguing of this work. 

Thornton was part of a seminal group of Post-War sculptors in Britain, who combined Archaic and industrial forms to create a highly evocative visual language, that responded to the complexities of the age. Thornton exhibited alongside these artists, including Eduardo Paolozzi, Kenneth Armitage and Elizabeth Frink, at important exhibitions such as 'New Sculptors Exhibition' in 1955 at the ICA and the international travelling show 'Young British Sculptors' organised by the British Council. 

The present work features the vertical emphasis common to much of his work, such as 'Figure in a Setting, 1964' now in the Arts Council Collection, and evokes a modern evocation of the biblical Tower of Babylon in its monumentality. Through the suggestion of Pompeii in its title, Thornton perhaps reflects a post-nuclear sense of a civilisation under threat by uncontrollable forces. The composition of the work relates to the artist's commission for the Daily Mirror building created in 1961, that was based on the theme of the history of printing. 

Works by the artist are in international collections, including the National Galleries of Scotland, Leeds Art Gallery and the Peggy Guggenheim Museum, Venice. 

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Buyer's Premium

The buyer shall pay the hammer price together with a premium thereon of 26% up to £20,000 (31.2% inclusive of VAT), 25% from £20,001 - £500,000 (30% inclusive of VAT), 20% from £500,001 thereafter (24% inclusive of VAT). The premium price is subject to VAT at the standard rate.

VAT
VAT is not charged on the hammer price unless it is stated that there is 'VAT applicable on the hammer price at the end of the description. Buyer's premium is subject to VAT.
(ARR) - ARTIST'S RESALE RIGHT

Qualifying living artists and the descendants of artists deceased within the last 70 years are entitled to receive a re-sale royalty each time their work is bought through an auction house or art market professional.

It applies to lots with hammer value over £1,000 as follows:
0 to £50,000 - 4%
£50,000.01 to £200,000 - 3%
£200,000.01 to £350,000 - 1%
£350,000.01 to £500,000 - 0.5%
Exceeding £500,000 - 0.25%
ARR is capped at £12,500

Please note ARR is calculated in euros. Auctioneers will apply current exchange rates.

Export of goods

Buyers intending to export goods should ascertain whether an export licence is required before bidding. Export licences are issued by Arts Council England and application forms can be obtained from its Export Licensing Unit. Details can be found on the ACE website www.artscouncil.org.uk or by phoning ACE on 020 7973 5188. The need for import licences varies from country to country and you should acquaint yourself with all relevant local requirements and provisions before bidding. The refusal of any such licences shall not permit the cancelling of any sale nor allow any delay in making full payment for the lot.

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