A lost work by one of the 20th century’s most influential artists has been found after being missing for at least thirty years. But now, a fierce battle over its ownership is putting its future in doubt.
The charity that cares for the last work-place of German-born Kurt Schwitters - who died in the Lake District, wants to restore the “rare and fragile” snake-stick and give it to the Tate or similar museum for safe keeping.
But Gerard Mermoz - the man who has cared for the stick for around 30 years, wants it to be sold by London auction-house Bonhams, who have valued it at between £10,000 and £15,000.
While working on the Merz Barn - his last great installation, Schwitters used to take one-and-a-half foot long 'snake-sticks' and paint them in coloured bands.
The Merz Barn building is in remote woodland at Elterwater in the Langdale valley. Schwitters nailed one onto the lintel above the of the Merz Barn door, before his death in 1948 in a pauper’s hospital in Kendal.
It disappeared during the 1980s, and was later bought in a shop by Mr Mermoz in Kendal for £25. The shop no longer exists, and the stick's new owner said he would hand it back to the Merz Barn project, “if they could prove it had been stolen.”
It remains out of public view in the vaults at Bonhams until the ownership issue is resolved.