DEMETRE CHIPARUS (ROMANIAN 1886-1947): A FRENCH ART DECO COLD PAINTED BRONZE AND IVORY MODEL OF A GIRL WITH PARAKEET KNOWN AS ‘INDISCREET’

Condition: In very good overall condition. The bird is removable from the arm, the outstretched arm has some minor movement.

This model, known by the title ‘Indiscrete’ rarely appears on the market and this smaller version is even more scarce. This model was acquired from a Department Store at some point in the 1930s by the present owner’s great aunt. 

It is known that the dealer, Phillips and MacConnal, was the first to offer Chiparus figures in London after 1929, when they show cased his statuettes (and those of other sculptor’s work) at the Idea Home Exhibition in London. Significantly, this contributed to introducing Chiparus’ work to the receptive fashion conscious  London clientele. The department store of Warning and Gillow also offered these decorative pieces in their stores and through a pioneering mail order catalogue. 

See ‘Chiparus Master of Art Deco’, Alberto Shayo, page 60 and ‘Art Deco and other Figures’, Bryan Cayley, page 74 for an illustration of the two versions of ‘Indiscete’, one 45cm and the smaller version 31cm high. 

Footnotes:
This lot contains ivory and has been registered in accordance with the Ivory Act (section10). Reference No. 3U1TVWZS
Prospective buyers should be aware that some countries have limitations on importing items made from endangered species, including materials such as coral, ivory, and tortoiseshell. Therefore, it is advisable for potential buyers to familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations before placing bids, particularly if they intend to import this lot into another country.