French School. Art Deco, ca. 1925.

French School. Art Deco, ca. 1925.
"Young Woman with Birds."
Patinated sheet metal on a base of marble and onyx in various colors.
Marked “FRANCE” on the reverse.
It has slight chips on the base and a patina consistent with its age.
Measurements: 22 x 38 x 13 cm.

The scene depicts a seated young woman tenderly bringing a bird close to her face, accompanied by two other birds perched at her feet. The stylization of the figure, the elegant simplification of the forms, and the decorative treatment of the dress—featuring overlapping geometric motifs—place the piece squarely within the Art Deco style that emerged in France during the 1920s.

The combination of patinated calamine with a base constructed from stones of different shades was common in French decorative sculpture of the period, where the contrast of materials helped accentuate the modern and sumptuous character of these compositions. Birds, a frequent motif in the Art Deco repertoire, also introduce an exotic and refined touch in keeping with the taste of 1920s interiors.