A magnificent gilded bronze and ivory sculpture by one of the most renowned artists of the Art Deco period is expected to sell for between £30,000 and £50,000 in Mitchells next Antiques & Fine Art Sale.
The Cockermouth saleroom is holding the auction on Thursday June 15 and Friday June 16.
The valuable bronze and ivory figure of a dancer, Solo, is 50cm high and is signed in the alabaster base by the Romanian artist Demetre Chiparus (1886-1947) who lived and worked in Paris.
He was regarded as one of the most important artists of the Art Deco movement through combining bronze and ivory in what is known as the chryselephantine technique.
French theatre actors, Russian ballet dancers and stars of early motion pictures were often the subject of his sculptures and many of his works are found in famous collections.
Auctioneers estimate the sculpture should sell for between £30,000 and £50,000, however some of his sculptures have been reported to sell for much higher sums.
In 2007 his 1928 sculpture of three jazz age dancing girls Les Girls is reputed to have been sold at auction for $936,000, according to Heritage Auctions in the US.
Another splendid bronze and ivory figure by the French sculptor Albert Ernest Carriere Belleuse (1824-1887) is also for sale. Liseuse is 59cm high and the sculpture has an estimate of £2,000 to £3,000.
Artwork
The sale also features numerous works by the Cumbrian artist Percy Kelly (1918-1993) including watercolour Low Tide Maryport, measuring 24cmx33cm with a Castlegate House Gallery label verso which has a valuation of £1,500-£2,500.
Another watercolour, Village Road, also with Castlegate House Gallery label verso, measures 21cmx26cm and has an estimate of £1,000-£1,500.
Other paintings include a signed watercolour by John Joseph Cotman (1814-1878), Landscape with cattle, with a conservative estimate of £150 to £200.
A woodblock Japanese print after Kitagawa Utamaro, Shirokiya Okoma, measuring 36cmx23cm should make £80 to £120.
Other highlights
Notable items for sale are a collection of Tibetan jewellery including bangles, a hanging purse and white metal prayer box and a collection of silver, glass, tortoiseshell and silver-plated bijouterie, all with varying estimates.
Furniture and clocks
Highlights among the furniture and clocks are a 19th century inlaid marquetry and ormolu mounted library table with an estimate of £4,000 to £6,000, a Victorian-style leather chesterfield valued at £1,000 to £1,500 and an Edwardian inlaid mahogany musical longcase clock which should make £1,200 to £1,800.
An attractive late 19th century Japanese lacquer cabinet with extensive inlaid decoration measuring 164cm high has an estimate of £300 to £500.
A Mouseman oak bookcase with four adjustable shelves and a carved mouse motif should make £300 to £400 and a Victorian green painted branch form cast iron garden seat with slatted seating area has an estimate of £120 to £180.
When is Mitchells’ Fine Art & Antique Sale?
The sale includes some 1,000 lots to be sold over two days.
Day one of the sale on Thursday June 15 will include Asian art, ceramics and glassware, jewellery, watches and pocket watches, coins, silver & allied wares, textiles and paintings, drawings and prints.
Day two on Friday, June 16 will include objects of art, including the Chiparus figure, collectors’ items & metalware, table boxes, wall clocks, barometers & mirrors, furniture, longcase clocks and dining tables.
When can I see the lots in Mitchells Fine Art & Antique Sale?
Lots are on view in the saleroom from Sunday June 11, from 11am to 3pm, Monday June 12 and Tuesday June 13, from 10am to 5pm, Wednesday June 14, from 10am to 5pm and throughout each sale day.
A fully illustrated catalogue can be viewed online now at www.the-saleroom.com/Mitchells where buyers can also register to bid live during the sale or leave automatic advance bids.
Those unable to attend the sale can also arrange to bid by telephone or leave commission bids in advance by contacting the saleroom. For further information about lots featured in the auction contact James Forster or Mark Wise on 01900 827800.
When is the next sale at Mitchells?
Following the success of Mitchells’ recent Model Railway and Railwayana Sale, entries are now invited for their Vintage & Antique Toy & Model Railway Sale on Thursday August 3 with entries closing on Monday June 26.
For free valuations of items for potential sale contact David Lomas on 01900 827800.
For free valuations of items for any sale in the South Lakes and wider area, including Furness, North Lancashire and the Dales, contact Mitchells’ Windermere-based valuer David Brookes at [email protected]
David will also be holding a pop-up charity valuation event at St Mary’s Hospice in Ulverston on Friday June 23 from 10am to 2pm with more pop-up valuations planned in other South Lakes venues soon.
