After Demétre Chiparus

After DEMÉTRE CHIPARUS (Dorohoi, Romania, 1886–Paris, 1947).
"Assyrian Dancer."
Patinated bronze on a marble base.
Signed “Chiparus.”
Later casting.
Measurements: 26.5 x 18.5 x 10.5 cm.

The sculpture draws on the world of Oriental-style dancers that made Demétre Chiparus one of the most recognizable figures in Art Deco sculpture. The figure leans sharply forward with outstretched arms and open palms, while the long dress flows in deep folds down to the base. The elaborate headdress, jewelry, and stylized attire accentuate the exotic and theatrical character of an iconography closely linked to the interwar taste for dance and the performances of the Ballets Russes.

Demétre Chiparus pursued his career in Paris and was one of the most prominent figures in Art Deco decorative sculpture. He trained with Antonin Mercié and Jean Boucher and achieved particular recognition in the 1920s and 1930s for his dancers and female figures inspired by ballet, music hall, and Orientalism. His work is represented in major collections of decorative arts and stands as one of the most recognizable examples of Art Deco sculpture.