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Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

American, Italian, 1915-1978

Sculptor, furniture and jewelry designer, graphic artist and metalsmith, Harry Bertoia was one of the great cross-disciplinarians of 20th-century art and design and a central figure in American mid-century modernism. Among furniture aficionados, Bertoia is known for his chairs such as the wire-lattice Diamond chair (and its variants such as the tall-backed Bird chair) designed for Knoll Inc. and first released in 1952.

As an artist, he is revered for a style that was his alone. Bertoia’s metal sculptures are by turns expressive and austere, powerful and subtle, intimate in scale and monumental. All embody a tension between the intricacy and precision of Bertoia’s forms and the raw strength of his materials: steel, brass, bronze and copper.

Fortune seemed to guide Bertoia’s artistic development. Born in northeastern Italy, Bertoia immigrated to the United States at age 15, joining an older brother in Detroit. He studied drawing and metalworking in the gifted student program at Cass Technical High School. Recognition led to awards that culminated, in 1937, in a teaching scholarship to attend the Cranbrook Academy of Art in suburban Bloomfield Hills, one of the great crucibles of modernism in America

At Cranbrook, Bertoia made friendships — with architect Eero Saarinen, designers Charles and Ray Eames and Florence Schust Knoll and others — that shaped the course of his life. He taught metalworking at the school, and when materials rationing during World War II limited the availability of metals, Bertoia focused on jewelry design. He also experimented with monotype printmaking, and 19 of his earliest efforts were bought by the Guggenheim Museum.

In 1943, he left Cranbrook to work in California with the Eameses, helping them develop their now-famed plywood furniture. (Bertoia received scant credit.) Late in that decade, Florence and Hans Knoll persuaded him to move east and join Knoll Inc. His chairs became and remain perennial bestsellers. Royalties allowed Bertoia to devote himself full-time to metal sculpture, a medium he began to explore in earnest in 1947.

By the early 1950s Bertoia was receiving commissions for large-scale works from architects — the first came via Saarinen — as he refined his aesthetic vocabulary into two distinct skeins. One comprises his “sounding sculptures” — gongs and “Sonambient” groupings of rods that strike together and chime when touched by hand or by the wind. The other genre encompasses Bertoia’s naturalistic works: abstract sculptures that suggest bushes, flower petals, leaves, dandelions or sprays of grass. 

As you will see on these pages, Harry Bertoia was truly unique; his art and designs manifest a wholly singular combination of delicacy and strength.

Find vintage Harry Bertoia sculptures, armchairs, benches and other furniture and art on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Harry Bertoia
Harry Bertoia, Monumental Sonambient Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Harry Bertoia, Monumental Sonambient Sculpture, USA, circa 1970's. Inconel on brass plate, comprised of 49 rods in a 7 x 7 layout with cattails, unmarked. Measures H: 81, W: 16, D: 1...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Monumental Harry Bertoia Silver Necklace, Bertoia Catalogue Raisonne D.JE.49
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
WEARABLE ART AN IMPORTANT DESIGN FOR A NECKLACE The necklace is unique and extraordinary. Because of its specific design elements it lays beautifully and comfortably on any body structure. This piece comes from a private collection. Provenance will accompany the piece. It has been authenticated by Val Bertoia and is listed in the Harry Bertoia Foundation Catalogue Raisonne # D.JE.49 having been authenticated as a Harry Bertoia piece. REPLY FROM CHRISTIE'S: "Dear Charles, thank you for contacting Christie's. I am absolutely stunned to see the necklace by Harry Bertoia you have submitted for feedback from us, and I would love to speak with you about the work at your earliest convenience. I am a great fan and a known expert in the work of Harry Bertoia, and I have handled over 600 of his sculptures, jewelry and art over the last 22 years. I have never seen a better piece of his jewelry, and it stands as one of the greatest objects in any category that he made. Michael Jefferson Senior Vice President International Senior Specialist Design" The following is from Beverly H. Twitchell, PhD, author of Bertoia: The Metalworker, London: Phaidon, 2019. She provides a very informative critique of Bertoia and his jewelry. Wearable Art an Important Design for a Necklace “Before Harry Bertoia enrolled at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1937 he had already mastered traditional jewelers’ techniques, but his engagement with Modernism led him to invent and use more direct methods. Instead of precious metals and gems, Bertoia made jewelry that appealed through its design, craftsmanship and the nature of its materials. That approach would make Bertoia a direct predecessor of the American Studio Crafts movement. So complex and cumulative are human perception and memory that we often do not know from where our own ideas come and without firm evidence, it is impossible to think we can establish the origins of an artist’s ideas. While his jewelry is entirely modern, chokers with multiple small pendants had come from ancient Mediterranean cultures: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Italy, even from Europe and America at the turn of the last century. Did Bertoia see works in books, journals or at the Detroit Institute of Arts that resonated with him or did he invent this on his own, as he would so many other forms? Bertoia found inspiration in nature from an early age on a small farm in Italy and later in Cranbrook’s woods, on the beaches of southern California and in the fields near his home in eastern Pennsylvania where he lived after 1950. The fluidity and motion of the his jewelry characterize much of his art. In that spirit, too, he made jewelry that suited human anatomy and was animated by its wearer’s movement. Bertoia had the instincts of an engineer, as the intricacy of the present lot’s clasp and overall construction of the jewelry demonstrates. Large jewelry by Bertoia is very rare. A delight to the eye, and like all of Bertoia’s work it is timeless. Bertoia had the instincts of an engineer, as the intricacy of the present lot's clasp and the overall construction of this piece demonstrate. Closed, the necklace sits on a table in a surprisingly conical shape, but it is so flexible that it conforms to its wearer from her neck nearly to her shoulders. Each handmade section is riveted to its neighbors, allowing it to adjust to the body while the pendants curve in many directions: one fits the left clavicle so precisely that Bertoia likely tried it on Brigitta Valentiner, who became his wife in 1943. Other pendants face toward or away from each other, bending up or down. Each element has been hammered into multiple curves and worked in Bertoia’s hands. Large jewelry by Bertoia is very rare. A delight to the eye, this necklace no doubt caused a sensation in its day as it might at the 2022 Met Ball in ours, for like all of Harry Bertoia’s work, it is timeless.” Harry Bertoia (1915 – 1978) was an Italian-born American artist, jewelry creator and modern furniture designer. He was born in San Lorenzo d...
Category

1940s American Vintage Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

Rare Harry Bertoia Sterling Silver Brooch "Ginko Leaves" ca. 1940s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
An extremely rare Harry Bertoia sterling silver brooch "Ginko Leaves." The brooch has been added to the Harry Bertoia Catalogue Raisonné and assigned the following catalogue raisonné number: D.JE.77. This piece comes from a private collection. Provenance will accompany the piece. The Brooch measures: 2.94 " long x 1.5 " wide x .30 " deep. Although associated with Mid-Century Modern furniture, Harry Bertoia was originally a jewelry designer who used both sterling silver, precious stones and gem stones. The brooch and closure are all handcrafted and the clasp is his unique design. The following is from Beverly H. Twitchell, PhD, author of Bertoia: The Metalworker, London: Phaidon, 2019. She provides a very informative critique of Bertoia and his jewelry. Wearable Art an Important Design for a Necklace “Before Harry Bertoia enrolled at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1937 he had already mastered traditional jewelers’ techniques, but his engagement with Modernism led him to invent and use more direct methods. Instead of precious metals and gems, Bertoia made jewelry that appealed through its design, craftsmanship and the nature of its materials. That approach would make Bertoia a direct predecessor of the American Studio Crafts movement. So complex and cumulative are human perception and memory that we often do not know from where our own ideas come and without firm evidence, it is impossible to think we can establish the origins of an artist’s ideas. While his jewelry is entirely modern, chokers with multiple small pendants had come from ancient Mediterranean cultures: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Italy, even from Europe and America at the turn of the last century. Did Bertoia see works in books, journals or at the Detroit Institute of Arts that resonated with him or did he invent this on his own, as he would so many other forms? Bertoia found inspiration in nature from an early age on a small farm in Italy and later in Cranbrook’s woods, on the beaches of southern California and in the fields near his home in eastern Pennsylvania where he lived after 1950. The fluidity and motion of the his jewelry characterize much of his art. In that spirit, too, he made jewelry that suited human anatomy and was animated by its wearer’s movement. Bertoia had the instincts of an engineer, as the intricacy of the present lot’s clasp and overall construction of the jewelry demonstrates. Large jewelry by Bertoia is very rare. A delight to the eye, and like all of Bertoia’s work it is timeless.” Harry Bertoia (1915 – 1978) was an Italian-born American artist, jewelry creator and modern furniture designer. He was born in San Lorenzo d-Arzene, Pordenone, Italy. At age 15 he moved to Detroit, Michigan to live with his older brother, Oreste. He quickly learned English and the bus schedule and enrolled in Cass Tech High School in Detroit (1930-1936) where he studied art and design and learned the skill of handmade jewelry making. At that time, there were three jewelry and metals teachers Louise...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

Extremely RareHarry Bertoia Necklace Sterling Silver Lapis Coral ca. 1940
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
Extremely rare combination pendant attached to custom-made chain by Harry Bertoia in sterling silver, containing one Lapis Lazuli and one Coral. This piece comes from a private collection. Provenance will accompany the piece. The work has been added to the Harry Bertoia Catalogue Raisonné and assigned the following catalogue raisonné number: D.JE.78. Although associated with Mid-Century Modern furniture, Harry Bertoia was originally a jewelry designer who used both sterling silver, precious stones and gem stones. The pendant measures: 1.25" long x 1" wide. The necklace measures: 11" length with a measurement of 22" overall length. The chain and closure are all handcrafted and in his unique design. Lapis Lazuli measures 20mm round supported by one 6 mm red coral. Total weight is 33 grams. The following is from Beverly H. Twitchell, PhD, author of Bertoia: The Metalworker, London: Phaidon, 2019. She provides a very informative critique of Bertoia and his jewelry. Wearable Art an Important Design for a Necklace “Before Harry Bertoia enrolled at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1937 he had already mastered traditional jewelers’ techniques, but his engagement with Modernism led him to invent and use more direct methods. Instead of precious metals and gems, Bertoia made jewelry that appealed through its design, craftsmanship and the nature of its materials. That approach would make Bertoia a direct predecessor of the American Studio Crafts movement. So complex and cumulative are human perception and memory that we often do not know from where our own ideas come and without firm evidence, it is impossible to think we can establish the origins of an artist’s ideas. While his jewelry is entirely modern, chokers with multiple small pendants had come from ancient Mediterranean cultures: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Italy, even from Europe and America at the turn of the last century. Did Bertoia see works in books, journals or at the Detroit Institute of Arts that resonated with him or did he invent this on his own, as he would so many other forms? Bertoia found inspiration in nature from an early age on a small farm in Italy and later in Cranbrook’s woods, on the beaches of southern California and in the fields near his home in eastern Pennsylvania where he lived after 1950. The fluidity and motion of the his jewelry characterize much of his art. In that spirit, too, he made jewelry that suited human anatomy and was animated by its wearer’s movement. Bertoia had the instincts of an engineer, as the intricacy of the present lot’s clasp and overall construction of the jewelry demonstrates. Large jewelry by Bertoia is very rare. A delight to the eye, and like all of Bertoia’s work it is timeless.” Harry Bertoia (1915 – 1978) was an Italian-born American artist, jewelry creator and modern furniture designer. He was born in San Lorenzo d-Arzene, Pordenone, Italy. At age 15 he moved to Detroit, Michigan to live with his older brother, Oreste. He quickly learned English and the bus schedule and enrolled in Cass Tech High School in Detroit (1930-1936) where he studied art and design and learned the skill of handmade jewelry making. At that time, there were three jewelry and metals teachers Louise Green...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Sterling Silver

Harry Bertoia bronze
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Dallas, TX
American Mid-century artist Harry Bertoia would spend his daylight hours working on the monumental public projects for which he is so well known. In the evenings though, after dinner...
Category

1970s American Vintage Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Harry Bertoia bronze
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Dallas, TX
American Mid-century artist Harry Bertoia would spend his daylight hours working on the monumental public projects for which he is so well known. In the evenings though, after dinner...
Category

1970s Vintage Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Harry Bertoia Gilt Bronze, Brass and Steel Dandelion Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Bertoia's Dandelion form is widely regarded to be the apex of his career. An overwhelming physical presence is balanced by its truly delicate nature. A gilt bronze central sphere is ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Brutalist Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Granite, Brass, Bronze

Harry Bertoia Bush Form Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Dallas, TX
A large organic bush form with beautiful patina. Masterful work by Harry Bertoia. Sold with a COA from the Bertoia foundation.
Category

1970s Vintage Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Brutalist Welded Nails Sculpture by Harry Bertoia
By Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Abstract Brutalist Nails Sculpture by Harry Bertoia, circa 1950s.
Category

1950s American Brutalist Vintage Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Wire Sculpture on Pedstal by Harry Bertoia
By Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Wire sculpture on pedestal by Harry Bertoia (1915-1978), circa 1950's. Overall dimensions including pedstal: 79.5"H x 16.25"W x 16.5"D Wire sculpture dimensions: Approx. 38"H x 17"...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Wire

Harry Bertoia Melt Pressed Bronze Figural Sculpture, 1970s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Dallas, TX
A figurative vertical form with two protrusions on top constructed of melt pressed bronze (heated numerous times, squeezed, and shaped. Includes provenance and hand-signed COA from t...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Harry Bertoia Two Column Sonambient Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
An atypical form for Beartoia's (1915-1978) sonambients given it's split in the centre of the rods. A desirable size for display in the home and a typically wonderful sound quality.
Category

1960s American Industrial Vintage Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Harry Bertoia Study for Wire Form, Rare / Experimental 1949
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Buffalo, NY
Provenance: Wright Modernist 20th Century, auction 12/7/2003, Bertoia worked with the Eames' in California in the late 1940s to develop their wire form chairs. His involvement led...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

Harry Bertoia Bush Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
"Untitled" (Bush) Sculpture by Harry Bertoia, circa 1970's made of welded bronze. Harry Bertoia, was an Italian-born American artist, sound art sculptor, an...
Category

1970s American Brutalist Vintage Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Harry Bertoia for Knoll, Model Bird Armchair with Ottoman, 1980
By Harry Bertoia, Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
Design Harry bertoia for Knoll, Model Bird armchair with ottoman, 1980, retains original label. Harry Bertoia for Knoll. Vogel armchair and ottoman i...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Iron

Harry Bertoya Multi-Plane Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Multi-plane sculpture by Harry Bertoia made of steel and molten brass. This was a working model for a large commission installation of ten sculptures ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Steel

Harry Bertoia Hanging Willow Chandelier, 1968
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Chicago, IL
Harry Bertoia Hanging Willow chandelier, 1968. Abundant stainless steel strands reminiscent to a willow tree surround a cylindrical housing with uplighting functions creating a dramatic defusing effect spreading light...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Stainless Steel

Harry Bertoia Double Spray Sculpture with COA from Foundation
By Harry Bertoia
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Harry Bertoia created numerous bundled wire sculptures from the late 1950s until the mid-1970s. This example is a large and interesting table-top variation. Sculpture comes with au...
Category

1960s American Vintage Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Stainless Steel

Harry Bertoia Bush Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Georges Mills, NH
Rare patinated bronze bush form, circa 1970 Provenance: Mangel Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, 1970s; Descended in the family.
Category

1970s American Vintage Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper, Bronze

Midcentury Harry Bertoia Sonambient Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Midcentury Harry Bertoia Sonambient sculpture featuring seven black monel "cat-tail" tops silvered to beryllium. Copper rods silvered to brass base. In fin...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Copper

Harry Bertoia Bronze Multi-Plane Cube Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fine example from this series of work. The surface of the brass-coated bronze plates show a stunning Patinated irregular surface in rouge reds, gold and Verdi gris green Possibl...
Category

1960s American Vintage Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Sonambient Sculpture by Harry Bertoia
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Georges Mills, NH
Rare Harry Bertoia sonambient sculpture. Pair of off-axis bronze rod arrays silver soldered onto a solid bronze base, circa 1967. Sold with a certificate of authenticity by the Hary ...
Category

1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Plate, Brass, Steel

Val Bertoia Corner Sound Sculpture, 2008
By Val Bertoia, Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary artist Val Bertoia's Corner Sound Sculpture made in 2008 is part of the Bertoia Sonambient series. It's made of 11 copper tops silvered to monel rods then silvered to a ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Copper

Harry Bertoia Gold Plated Bronze Diagonal Double Tonal Sonambient Sculpture
By Harry Bertoia
Located in St. Louis, MO
Sculptor and Artist Harry Bertoia gold plated bronze Sonambient sculpture, diagonal double tonal, circa 1965. Two groupings of thin rods at different angles on poured slab of bronze. Purchased from estate of the original owner. Sold with a “Certificate of Authenticity” from the Harry Bertoia foundation, along with a copy of the Knoll letter...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Large Willow Sculpture by Harry Bertoia
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Atlanta, GA
Stunning wire sculpture by Harry Bertoia (American, 1915-1978). Made of stainless steel in free standing form. Provenance: Purchased directly from the artist by the current owner in ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Stainless Steel

Harry Bertoia "Six Branches" Stainless Steel Sculpture, 1960s
By Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
"Six branches" sculpture, with stainless steel wires silvered together in two clusters per "branch" onto stems of stainless steel, by Harry Bertoia, American 1960s. This sculpture co...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Stainless Steel

Val Bertoia Double Vertical Spray Sculpture, Steel Wires with Brass Base, 2014
By Harry Bertoia, Val Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary artist Val Bertoia's Double Vertical Spray Sculpture made in 2014. This Kinetic sculpture was made by cutting one grouping of stainless-steel wires that were made by Har...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Original Harry Bertoia Sculpture "SPRAWLING BRONZE"
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Dallas, TX
Original "Sprawling Bronze" by Harry Bertoia (1915-1978). Rare molten bronze spill cast with three feet to make it free-standing. Green patina adds to the organic feel of the sculp...
Category

Late 20th Century American Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

1970s Harry Bertoia Bush Form Sculpture Solid Bronze with added patina studio
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A 1970s Harry Bertoia Bush Sculpture consisting of welded bronze branches with added patina. Red patinated ball tips accentuate the ends of the branches. This sculpture was added to ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Sonambient Rods Sculpture by Harry Bertoia
By Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
A sonambient rods sculpture by Harry Bertoia (1915-1978). A desirable size for display in the home and a typically wonderful sound quality.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Harry Bertoia Patinated Silver Brooch with Coral and Ebony, USA 1943
By Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
An unusual piece of Bertoia's jewelry with a figurative quality. This brooch was included in an exhibit, "In Nature's Embrace: The World of Harry Bertoia" at the Reading Public Museu...
Category

1940s American Vintage Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Coral, Silver

Harry Bertoia Hand-Forged Silver, Ebony and Silver Wire Pendant, USA 1942
By Harry Bertoia
Located in New York, NY
This early wire wrapped pendant was likely made by Harry Bertoia while he was at Cranbrook.
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Harry Bertoia decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Harry Bertoia decorative objects are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Harry Bertoia decorative objects, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 32 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 2 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original decorative objects by Harry Bertoia were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider decorative objects by Mario Dal Fabbro, Jaru, and Austin Productions. Prices for Harry Bertoia decorative objects can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,475 and can go as high as $450,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $41,000.
Questions About Harry Bertoia Decorative Objects
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Whether or not a Harry Bertoia chair is comfortable really comes down to a matter of personal preference, but there are a lot of positive reviews pertaining to how comfortable the Italian-born American designer’s seating is. Among furniture aficionados he is known for the wire-lattice Diamond chair (and its variants such as the tall-backed Bird chair) designed for Knoll Inc. and first released in 1952. Shop a selection of Bertoia chairs from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.

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