Pysche

Details

CLOVIS DELACOUR (FRENCH, 1859-1929)
Pysche
signed C. Delacour, on a vert de Maurin marble socle
ivory
The ivory: 10 ¾in. (27.5 cm.) high
The socle: 5 ½ in. (14 cm.) high

Provenance

Sotheby's; London, 27 September 1991, Lot 73.

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Sale room notice

France currently has restrictions on the sale and commercial movement of all elephant ivory items, including pre-1947 “antique” elephant ivory items. Christie’s is unable to arrange shipments of any elephant ivory lots to France until further guidance is issued by the French authorities. Bidders who intend to ship an ivory lot to France bid at their own risk. A delay or inability to export elephant ivory is not grounds to cancel the purchase of a lot, and buyers remain responsible for all storage charges that accrue in accordance with the Conditions of Sale.

Brought to you by

Dido Penny

dpenny@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2794

Lot Essay

Clovis Delacour was born in Châtillon-sur-Seine and worked in Paris. He studied under Augustin-Jean Moreau-Vauthier (d. 1893), perhaps the most celebrated French ivoirier during the last quarter of the nineteenth century. Delacour, who worked in Paris, also became well known for his work becoming a member of the Société des Artistes Français in 1892, receiving a commendation at the 1900 Exposition Universelle, and exhibiting at the Royal Academy in London. The present statuette of Psyche or Nymph with vase compares closely to an ivory of Nude with Butterfly in the The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. Delacour’s masterpiece Andromeda, is in the Lady Lever Art Gallery, Liverpool.

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