Friends Forever Bronze and Ivory by Chiparus
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A magnificent Art Deco bronze sculpture by D.H. Chiparus entitled Friends Forever
Key Features
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- A girl and her canine companions are the focus of this rare Art Deco work by D.H. Chiparus
- Crafted of bronze and ivory, this group is the epitome of the Art Deco aesthetic
- An onyx plinth completes this elegant design
- Similar figures are featured in Art Deco and Other Figures by Bryan Catley
- The etched signature "D.H. Chiparus" is found on the base with the foundry stamp "L.N/Paris/J.L."
- Circa 1928
- 16 3/4" wide x 3 5/8" deep x 16 1/2" high
Item Details
- Width:
16 3/4 Inches - Height:
16 1/2 Inches - Depth:
3 5/8 Inches - Period:
Art Deco - Origin:
France - Material:
Miscellaneous - Artist:
Other
This endearing group is the work of famed Art Deco sculptor D. H. Chiparus. Entitled Friends Forever, this charming figure of a young girl and her two borzoi, or Russian wolfhound companions, is comprised of patinated, cold-painted bronze and intricately carved ivory, a combination known as chryselephantine. Graceful, well-balanced, fashion-forward yet familiar, this engaging piece is set upon a striking onyx plinth.
Demetre Haralamb Chiparus (1886-1947) was Romanian by birth. He studied in Italy and France, where he studied under Mercié and J. Boucher at the École des Beaux Arts in Paris. He exhibited at the Salon from 1914 to 1928, and found great success with his sculptures of dancers from the Ballet Russes and the French theatre. Depicted wearing exotic costumes and striking dramatic poses, Chiparus' figures captured the lively and sensuous spirit of the time.
Similar figures are featured in Art Deco and other Figures by Bryan Catley
The etched signature "D.H. Chiparus" is found on the base and the foundry stamp "L.N/Paris/J.L." is found on the woman's skirt
Circa 1928
16 3/4" wide x 3 5/8" deep x 16 1/2" high
The Greek sculptural technique known as chryselephantine was developed in the 6th century B.C.E. Sculptures, especially temple colossi, were made with an inner core of wood overlaid with ivory, to simulate flesh, and gold, to represent drapery. The great Parthenon Athena, now lost, was chryselephantine, as was the statue of Zeus at the temple of Olympia. The combination of ivory and bronze was pioneered in Belgium at the turn of the 20th century. Sculptors of the Art Deco period embraced this technique, re-interpreting the classical style to create figures of subtle beauty. Chiparus was a champion and master of this technique and he is credited with both perfecting and giving this form its Art Deco flavor. His figures are among the most recognizable and collectible in the world.
Reference:
The Dictionary of Sculptors in Bronze1977, James Mackay
Demetre Haralamb Chiparus (1886-1947) was Romanian by birth. He studied in Italy and France, where he studied under Mercié and J. Boucher at the École des Beaux Arts in Paris. He exhibited at the Salon from 1914 to 1928, and found great success with his sculptures of dancers from the Ballet Russes and the French theatre. Depicted wearing exotic costumes and striking dramatic poses, Chiparus' figures captured the lively and sensuous spirit of the time.
Similar figures are featured in Art Deco and other Figures by Bryan Catley
The etched signature "D.H. Chiparus" is found on the base and the foundry stamp "L.N/Paris/J.L." is found on the woman's skirt
Circa 1928
16 3/4" wide x 3 5/8" deep x 16 1/2" high
The Greek sculptural technique known as chryselephantine was developed in the 6th century B.C.E. Sculptures, especially temple colossi, were made with an inner core of wood overlaid with ivory, to simulate flesh, and gold, to represent drapery. The great Parthenon Athena, now lost, was chryselephantine, as was the statue of Zeus at the temple of Olympia. The combination of ivory and bronze was pioneered in Belgium at the turn of the 20th century. Sculptors of the Art Deco period embraced this technique, re-interpreting the classical style to create figures of subtle beauty. Chiparus was a champion and master of this technique and he is credited with both perfecting and giving this form its Art Deco flavor. His figures are among the most recognizable and collectible in the world.
Reference:
The Dictionary of Sculptors in Bronze1977, James Mackay
