Demètre Chiparus, The Art Deco Sculptor

He was born in Romania in 1886, educated in Italy and took up residence in Paris in 1912. Chiparus attended school at the Ecole des Beaux Arts. In 1920s Demetre perfected the technique of combining bronze and ivory known as chryselephantine - his art flourished; he was considered by many to be one of the best sculptors of Art deco era.
However, due to the huge commercial success of his work, he exhibited only sporadically at the Salon des Artistes Français.

Leopard Dancer. Sold for $213,808 at Christie's

Influenced by his keen interest in Russian Ballet dancers and in Egypt after the excavation of Pharaoh Tutankhamen’s tombhe produced his most notable artwork.
Chiparus popularity reached its peak in 1928; his works were produced in small editions where foundry owners avidly snapped up his work.
While his style remained in demand, Chiparus was a very wealthy man.
He and his long-time companion, Julienne, lived a lavish, exclusive lifestyle of elegance, tranquility and affluence. However, this extravagant lifestyle was short-lived. The onset of World War II changed everything.




Most of the founders in Paris were Jewish and thus were forced out of business. With no one able to produce his pieces, Demetre found himself in a serious financial position.
Chiparus continued to work, his eloquent and extraordinary sculptures of bears, a bison and other animals are the testament to the man’s great talent and versatility. These works were to be his last. Demetre Chiparus died after suffering stroke in 1947.
His artwork wasn't popular with the post-war generation. In 1970’s connoisseurs revived the interest for those outstanding examples of superb craftsmanship.














Shiva. Sold for $143,152 at Christies







Friends Forever. Sold for $29,440 at Christies
























Fan Dancer, $266,500 at Christies











Source: allartdeco.com