Fruit and flowers on a partially draped table

The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.

The canvas has been subject to relining; it is held under tension and remains stable. The texture of the paint has, to some extent, been altered by the relining process. The detail, colour contrasts and the monumental appraoch to compositon remain fully appreciable. In a raking light three main areas of restoration are visible, in the background to the right of the bird at far left, a rectangular patch of approximately 4 x 6 cm. in the vase of flowers, and a strip that runs down the right-hand side, crossing through the squirrel's tail. Examination in UV light is impared by a thick, cloudy varnish. However, the aforementioned restoration to the left of the bird is evidently restoration to a tear in the canvas that extends from the top of the bird's wing to the bottom edge, and there appears to be further scattered retouching. The paint is stable.