Man Ray (1890-1976)

Presse-papier à Priape (Priapus Paperweight)

incised with initials and numbered 'MR 117/500' (lower edge)

light pink marble; consisting of a hollow marble cylinder and three identical marble balls, H 52cm
Conceived in 1920 and issued in 1972 by Galerie Alexandre Iolas, in an edition of 500.

Literature:
J. H. Martin, R. Krauss and B. Hermann, 'Man Ray - Objets de mon affection, sculptures et objets, catalogue raisonné', Paris 1983, p. 141, cat. no.23. Exhibited: Drachten, Museum Smallingerland, 'Man Ray. Dada is mijn natuur', 10 April - 7 June 1998, cat. no. 23.

The title ‘Presse-Papier à Priape’ plays with papier as an anagram of Priape or Priapus, the god of fertility in Greek mythology. The original object was lost, but there still are several later versions: in silver (1966), a ‘king-size’ version in bronze (1968), and two in marble.

For this artist resale right is applicable from €2400 hammer price onwards