CORNELIS BILTIUS | A pair of trompe l'œil game larder still lifes: with a hare, partridge, snipe, turkey, pike, eel and fish, with a parrot; and with pigeons, a hare, calf's head, asparagus, lobster and trout, with a hawk and a plover

The Property of a Gentleman
CORNELIS BILTIUS
The Hague 1653 - after 1685
A pair of trompe l'œil game larder still lifes: with a hare, partridge, snipe, turkey, pike, eel and fish, with a parrot; and with pigeons, a hare, calf's head, asparagus, lobster and trout, with a hawk and a plover

the former signed lower left: C. Bilcius fecit
the latter signed lower right: Cornelis Bilcius
a pair, both oil on canvas
the former: 124.5 x 221.3 cm.; 49 x 87⅛ in.
the latter: 126 x 216 cm.; 49⅝ x 85 in.
(2)

Condition Report:
The canvases are lined, the paint surfaces are clean, and the varnish on each painting is clear and even. The paintings are in overall good condition for works of this size, and are ready to hang in their current state. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals mostly cosmetic retouchings scattered throughout both compositions in the background, and more sparsely in the animals. More notable areas of restoration in the former include: to a repaired damage just above the hare’s chin 3 cm. long; to a repaired, vertical tear just above the central fish lower right approx. 6 cm. long; a more concentrated patch of retouching in the background above the turkey’s wing on the left 10 x 10 cm.; and along the upper, right and lower margins. In the latter, more notable areas include: in the background upper left; a handful of small, repaired tears in the calf's head lower centre (each approx. 1.5 cm.); in the background upper right; along faint stretcher marks along each margin and the central vertical one; two patches in the table on which the bird stands upper right; in the central part of the joint of meat centre right, and the background below this; and a handful of repaired tears in both wings and the neck of the duck upper centre (each approx. 1cm.).

"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."

Provenance:
The Margraves of Baden, Kloster Salem, Lake Constance (inv. nos 5 and 6);

Thence by descent until sold ('Die Sammlung der Markgrafen und Grossherzöge von Baden'), Baden-Baden, Sotheby's, 13 October 1995, lot 2306;

Anonymous sale, London, Sotheby's, 6 July 2006, lot 201, for £110,000, where acquired.