Chiparus & the Ballets Russes: Twelve Masterworks from an Important Private Collection

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Lot 7
  • 7

Demeter Chiparus

Estimate
180,000 - 240,000 USD
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Description

  • Demeter Chiparus
  • Salomé
  • base engraved Chiparus, figure stamped 2  
  • cold-painted, parcel-gilt and silvered bronze; carved and tinted ivory; on an onyx base
  • 22 7/8 x 12 1/4 x 5 5/8 in. (58.1 x 31.1 x 14.3 cm)
  • edited by Etling, Paris

Provenance

Frederic M. Babbish Collection

Exhibited

A Private Collection of Art Deco Chryselephantine Sculpture, Sotheby’s, New York, July 17-August 25, 1995

Literature

Alberto Shayo, Chiparus:  Master of Art Deco, New York, 1993, p. 136, pl. 67

Catalogue Note

No female character rivaled the popularity of Salomé at the turn of the century.  Countless fin-de-siècle paintings depicted the Biblical heroine, but the unlikely combination of Oscar Wilde and Ida Rubinstein were responsible for Paris' most famous presentation of the seductress.  Ida Rubinstein, a wealthy resident of St. Petersburg with a penchant for dance, made her Paris stage début in the role in 1909, divesting herself of all seven veils during the performance.  Chiparus captures his Salomé with two veils remaining.