John Rhoden 

“Harlem Globetrotters” Sculpture 

Bronze on stone base

1954

27”H x 16”W x 16”D 

Provenance: Galleria Schneider Rome, Italy. April 12-24 1954. Purchased by Jack and Drue Heinz from Galleria Schneider. Remained in Heinz collection from 1954-2019. Sold at Dargate Auction McKees Rocks, PA USA January 27, 2019. Purchased from winning auction bidder February 2019. 

This work was in the Jack Heinz office suite of the Reily Research Center, Pittsburgh PA and later in the Heinz homes in New York City and Sewickley, Pennsylvania. It was a focal point of the office suite, placed on a Meis van Der Rohe Barcelona table and was featured in Knoll advertisements of the period.

Very good condition as received from Heinz Estate. In researching the work, it was revealed that the sculpture was subject to some damage during shipment in 1954. This damage was to the stone base, and not the bronze work. As documented in communication from Galleria Schneider to John Rhoden, the work was repaired by Rhoden and sent to Heinz in Pittsburgh, PA. Evidenced in photos from the show in Rome 1954, the work had a darker stone base, and was replaced with a stone base of a lighter tone. Heinz Collection label to base “Rhoden Harlem-Globetrotters NY Apt”.

Select images from John Rhoden Archives at Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art.