Relevant categories: Bronzes,Art Deco
(Above photo - Clara by Chiparus art deco bronze )
Romanian artist Demetre Chiparus is well-known for his work in creating attractive ivory and bronze art deco figurines. Hence the name Chiparus bronze refers to the sculptures produced by this artist. Elegant and stylish in nature, the sculptures are famous among art collectors and are known to fetch high prices.
(Above photo - Classic fan dancer art deco bronze by Chiparus )
Who Was Demetre Chiparus?
Chiparus was born on 16th September 1886 in Romania. It was in 1909 when he was 23 years old that he moved to Italy to study under Raffaello Romanelli, an Italian sculptor. Having acquired some basic skills, he moved on to Paris to attend Ecole des Beaux-Arts. Here, he learned from Jean Boucher and Antonin Mercie, some of the finest sculptors of the time.
(Above photo - Antinea Egyptian Art Deco Bronze Figurine Chiparus )
He came from a reasonably wealthy family which afforded him to live in Paris for most of his life working on his art. At that time, Paris was an art and artists’ Mecca. From 1914, he began to create sculptures that featured a series of children. In the 1920s his style matured. Chiparus bronze figurines from that time feature dancing ladies in elegant costumes.
In creating his bright and decorative sculptures, Chiparus was deeply influenced by the beautiful human form. Some of them were Russian ballet dancers while others featured French theater characters. There are some art deco Chiparus bronzes which are based on the earliest motion pictures. When the tomb of boy Pharaoh Tutankhamen, he became interested in Egyptian art.
(Above photo - Art Deco Bronze Thais Dancer by Chiparus )
At the end of the Second World War, there was a dip in the production of sculptures. Resolved to sculpt for his own pleasure, Chiparus resorted to creating figurines of animals in the art deco style. He died in 1947 after suffering a stroke.
What Style Did Chiparus Use?
Chiparus art deco bronzes mainly feature exquisite looking female characters. In everything he produced, he incorporated elaborate, decorative details, all in the art deco style. But they aren’t entirely made of bronze. There was always a combination of ivory and bronze which is also known as chryselephantine.
Most Chiparus bronzes are decorated using enamel, which highlights certain details. The female figures used in these sculptures are lithe, long-legged, slender, and life-like. Their faces were made from ivory and most of them wore glamorous, decorative outfits. This made them look truly life-like and is the reason they are popular with many art collectors.
To produce most of his sculptures, Chiparus relied on two major foundries. The first was the Cie and Edmond Etling and Cie Foundry. Also, he would produce some of the sculptures at the Les Neveux de J. Lehman foundry. He made the sculptures to stand on bases composed of a mixture of onyx and marble. Like the sculptures themselves, the bases were made to look extravagant and elegant.
(Above photo - Chiparus Art Deco Bronze Figurine Borzoi Dogs Statue French ) There are several of the Chiparus that has gained fame over the years. They include the Karmona, Innocence, Friends Forever, Thais, Antinea, the Starfish Dancer, and Semiramis. You can sample the best Chiparus bronzes from our wide collection, which also features works from other artists. All you need to do is to get in touch with us, now!
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