Special Notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.
Pre-Lot Text
Romanian sculptor Demetre Chiparus (1886-1947) is one of the greatest sculptors of the Art Deco era. Chiparus moved to Paris in 1912 to enrol at the influential Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux Arts. Chiparus established his first atelier following Armistice in 1918. The proceeding years witnessed Paris's transformation from the bleak austerity of the war years into a wealthy and vibrant city with a thriving music hall scene inspired by Sergei Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes coupled with a rising number of nouveaux riches eager to express their new found wealth through the purchase of luxury items. Chiparus' works harmonised perfectly with the mood of the times and quickly found popularity amongst Europe's fashion conscious elite. However, his success was to be short lived as his fortunes seemed to rise and fall with those of his adopted city. Outbreak of war in 1939 brought about an end to the heady days of conspicuous consumption, disruptions to trade and with many of the pre-eminent Parisian foundries that executed his works forced to close.
Literature
Alberto Shayo, Chiparus, Master of Art Deco, New York, p. 65 (bronze and ivory example illustrated).