Lot 39
Salvador Dalí (1904-1989)
Lot 39 Details
Salvador Dalí (1904-1989), Spanish
NOBILITY OF TIME, 1977-1984
bronze with green and brown patina, lost wax process
conceived in 1977 and cast in 1984, with the artist's incised signature on top of the base; stamp-numbered 267/350, there were also 35 artist's proofs; stamp-dated "1984"; stamped with the foundry mark of Perseo SA, Mendrisio, Switzerland and with the publisher Jemelton, London on the back of the base
23.6 x 15 x 11.5 in — 60 x 38.1 x 29.2 cm
Estimate $25,000-$35,000
Additional Images
Provenance:
Dalí Foundation, Paris;
Private Collection, Toronto, ON
Literature:
Descharnes, "Dali: Le dur et le mou, Sortilège et magie des formes, Sculptures et Objets Relié", no. 635, p.247.
Note:
"Dali’s soft watch is both draped against and supported by the remains of a tree whose trunks sprout new life and whose roots entwine a stone. The terminology, “the crown of a watch” usually indicates a mechanical device which allows us to set the hands and wind the timepiece. Time, however, according to Dalinian watch, is changeless and cannot be set, and the watch itself has no internal power or motion. Given this absence of movement, the crown in this case is interpretted by the artist as a royal crown which adorns the watch, identifies time’s mastery over human beings rather than its utility to him. His majesty is attended by two reoccurring, fantastical Dalinian symbols: a contemplative angel, and a woman draped in shawls look on. Time reigns supreme over both art and reality." From
https://www.daliparis.com/en/gallery-item/nobility-of-time/.