Redwell Wood Farm / Potters Bar / Hertfordshire, EN6 3NA, UK | USD $, Yen, Euro and all major currencies accepted. Change Site Language | Help
Canonbury Antiques Canonbury Antiques
 
UK UK: + 44 (01707) 644717
USA USA: + 1 (877) 650-7261
USA: + 1 (877) 650-7261UK: + 44 (01707) 644717
  • Categories
  • Styles and Period
  • Room
  • Items on SALE!
  • Sell Your Items
  • Your Cart (0)
  • Contact Us
  • Visit Showroom
  • About
 
Subscribe to our newsletterand get 10% OFF!
search

Shop by Type
  • Dining Tables
  • Dining Sets
  • Art Deco
  • Tables
  • Dining Chairs
  • Seating and Chairs
  • Objet d Art
  • Bookcases
  • Bronzes
  • Desks
  • Buddha Statues
  • Lamps and Lighting
  • Steamer Trunk Luggage Cases
  • French Boulle Furniture
  • Architectural Salvage
  • Curios
  • Silver Plate
  • Oil Paintings
  • Cabinets and Chests
  • Chairs
  • Architectural
  • Fountains and Garden
  • Mirrors
  • Chinese Porcelain
  • Porcelain
  • Dressers and Sideboards
  • Tea Caddies
  • Glassware
  • Mirrored Furniture
  • Clocks

Shop by Style
  • Adams Antiques and Furniture
  • Art Deco
  • Art Nouveau
  • Arts and Craft
  • Biedermeier
  • Black Lacquer
  • Boulle Furniture
  • Burmese Furniture
  • Chinese Antiques
  • Chinoiserie
  • Chippendale
  • Colonial / Campaign
  • Continental Antiques
  • Dutch Marquetry Antiques
  • Edwardian Antiques
  • English Antiques
  • Epstein Furniture
  • Farmhouse Furniture
  • Francois Linke
  • French Antiques
  • French Empire
  • George II
  • Georgian Antiques
  • Gillows and Co Antiques
  • Gothic Antiques
  • Grand Tour Antiques
  • Hepplewhite
  • Irish Antiques
  • Italian Antiques
  • Jacobean Antiques
  • Japanese Antiques
  • Lacquer and Ebonized Furniture
  • Louis XVI
  • Maple and Co Antiques
  • Marquetry Inlay
  • Napoleon III
  • Neo-Classical
  • Queen Anne
  • Regency Antiques
  • Rococo
  • Sheraton
  • Sheraton Revival
  • Swedish Antiques
  • Syrian Moorish and Islamic Furniture
  • The Garden
  • Vernis Martin Lacquer
  • Victorian Antiques
  • William and Mary Antiques
  • William IV Antiques

Shop by Room
  • Castle Chic
  • Aviator Furniture
  • Farmhouse Kitchen
  • Gentlemans Club
  • Medieval Banquet
  • Parisian Apartment
  • Regency Dining Room
  • Roman Villa
  • The Dining Room
  • The Garden
  • The Hallway
  • The Kitchen
  • The Library
  • The Living Room
  • The Lounge
  • The Study
  • Urban Loft
  • Victorian Dining Room
  • William IV Dining Room
WITH VIDEOS
Global Shipping
Global Shipping
Secured Site
Amex
Master Card
Visa
Discover

Returns Policy 7

Chryselephantine Sculpture - Art Deco Chiparus Bronze Technique - Canonbury Semantics

GO BACK
all

Relevant categories: Art Deco,Bronzes

Date
Feb
27
2020

Chryselephantine - a  sculpture made with gold  and ivory.
(Above photo - Chryselephantine - a  sculpture made with gold  and ivory as popularised by DH Chiparus)


Chryselephantine is basically a form of sculpture made from a combination of ivory and gold. The ivory was used to carve out the flesh of the sculpture while the gold went to the drapery. They were a common feature in Greek sculpture and, being the highest kind of plastic art, were featured more in religious art. Two of the most famous chryselephantine statues include that of Zeus at Olympia and Athena Parthenos in Athens. Today, chryselephantine sculpture refers to anything made by combining ivory with gold, onyx, silver, bronze or marble and was made popular by Demetre Chiparus the famouse art deco sculpturist.


History and Origins

 

Fan dancer bronze by Chiparus

(Above photo - Fan dancer bronze by Chiparus )


It is not clear the exact origin of chryselephantine sculpture. However, the earliest examples can be traced back to the second millennium BCE. At that time, some of the Aegean pieces of art featured ivory and gold. The Greeks later conquered these areas making the art part of their own. The most famous piece of art from that period is the Palaikastro Kouros, a masterpiece of Minoan art discovered in Crete.

 

Artemis statue from Ancient Greece

(Above photo - Artemis statue from Ancient Greece)


In previous millennia, chryselephantine art had been an integral part of Egyptian as well as Mesopotamian sculpture. The Greeks adopted it and made it an integral part of their art up to the classical period when ivory and gold were used as decorations for Acrolithitic statues. Such statues had a wooden draperied body and well as stone feet, hands, and heads. Most of the chryselephantine sculptures were huge figures used in major spiritual sanctuaries and temples.
Features of Chryselephantine Statues


At the core of chryselephantine statues was a wooden frame, which was covered with carved sheets of ivory as a representation of the flesh. The statue would then have a sheet of gold to represent the armour, hair, drapery, and other physical features. Additionally, the sculptor would use coloured glass together with semi-precious and precious stones to highlight weaponry and the eyes.

 

The art deco bronzes of the 1920s often used Chryselephantine
(Above photo  - 
The art deco bronzes of the 1920s often used Chryselephantine )
 

Thus chryselephantine statues were created to look magnificent. Depending on how magnificent they were, chryselephantine statues represented the cultural status and wealth of their owners. One would have to spend a lot of money just to buy one chryselephantine sculpture. Making one of these involved several master craftsmen skilled in jewellery art, carpentry, goldsmithing, sculpture, and ivory carving. A finished chryselephantine statue would require someone to regularly maintain it.


To cut down on the financial cost, the sculpture was made in a modular way. That way, the gold could be removed, melted, and used to form coins during times of austerity. When the individual’s finances improved, the gold would be replaced.
 

Art deco bronze statue by Chiparus
(Above photo - Art deco bronze statue by Chiparus
 )
 

Because of their valuable nature, many of the chryselephantine sculptures were dismantled or melted to recover precious metals in classical antiquity or the beginning of the medieval era. An example is the Athena Parthenos statue, which has since completely disappeared and only exists in the descriptions by Pausanias, a Greek explorer. However, there still exist several miniature statues with one on display at Athens’ National Archaeological Museum. You may find imitations of chryselephantine statues for sale in some of the antique stores across the world. Many of our range of Chiparus art deco bronzes are on display in the Canonbury Antiques Hertfordshire showroom so please get in touch for an appointment. 

 

 

 

Products Mentioned

Bronze Chiparus Art Deco Figur...

Art Deco Bronze Thais Dancer b...

Art Deco Chiparus Bronze Fan D...

Chiparus Art Deco Bronze Figur...

 

More from our Knowledge Base

How to Buy Bronze Cherubs in 5 Ways MAY.17.2022

Bronze cherubs are collectible items you can use to decorate different spaces in your home. They vary in size and can take various forms, depending on the artist. You can buy them online or in-store.

MORE
all

Everything You Should Know about Antique Pier Cabinets MAY.14.2022

If you’re looking for an antique pier cabinet, don’t forget to buy it in its original form. Reconditioned antique furniture usually has a lower value. Apart from its decorative value, it is a functional furniture piece necessary to have in your home.

MORE
all

Georgian Bureau Bookcase – Everything You Need to Know MAY.14.2022

The Georgian bureau bookcase is a worthy inclusion in any home’s interior décor, introducing a retro theme to your space. It is also highly functional for storing books and stationery. You can find one in-store or online at an antique store.The Georgian bureau bookcase is a worthy inclusion in any home’s interior décor, introducing a retro theme to your space. It is also highly functional for storing books and stationery. You can find one in-store or online at an antique store.

MORE
all

 

TOP OF THE PAGE
Top of the Page
  • SHOPPING
  • Shopping Cart
    Shopping Cart (0)
  • Buying Online
  • Get a Gift Voucher
  • Sold Items
  • CANONBURY INFO
  • Knowledge Base
  • About Us
  • Customer Testimonials
  • News
  • Newsletter
  • Sell your Antiques
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • CUSTOMER SERVICE
  • FAQs
  • Shopping
  • US Customer Service
  • Return Policy
  • SITE LANGUAGES
  • Our site can be translated into most languages using the Google Translate tool below:

  • SHIPPING
  • Shipping to United States
  • Shipping to Europe
  • Shipping to Rest of World
    FOLLOW US ON
  • You Tube
  • Facebook
  • Wordpress
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Flickr
  • SHIPPING
  • Shipping to United States
  • Shipping to Europe
  • Shipping to Rest of World
    FOLLOW US ON
  • You Tube
  • Facebook
  • Wordpress
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Flickr
+ 44 01707 644877
+ 44 01707 644717
  • CONTACT US

  • Confirm that you are human:
    5 + 4 =


  • SHOPPING
    Shopping
  • Shopping Cart
    Shopping Cart (0)
  • How to Buy
  • Get a Gift Voucher
  • Sold Items
  • CANONBURY INFO
    Shopping
  • Knowledge Base
  • About Us
  • Customer Testimonials
  • News
  • Newsletter
  • Sell your Antiques
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • CUSTOMER SERVICE
    Shopping
  • FAQs
  • Shopping
  • US Customer Service
  • Return Policy
  • SHIPPING
    Shopping
  • Shipping to United States
  • Shipping to Europe
  • Shipping to Rest of World
  • CONTACT US
    Shopping

  • Confirm that you are human:
    5 + 4 =


© - Canonbury Antiques - Redwell Wood Farm / Potters Bar / Herfordshine, EN6 3NA, UK

Website Developed by Nulence

© - Canonbury Antiques

Redwell Wood Farm / Potters Bar / Herfordshine, EN6 3NA, UK

Website Developed by Nulence