Scent Of Women - 101 Important Ivory Sculptures from Art Nouveau To Art Déco from a Belgian Private Collection
In the first ‘online only sale’ from Lempertz’ Decorative Arts Department, a Belgian private collection of 101 ivory sculptures made by important Art Déco artists from the first quarter of the 20th century is offered for sale. All the figures depict women of various ages and in various poses, dancing, partaking in sport or other activities, often unclothed.
The culture of the naked body, nudism, became popular in the 1920s. In Germany, the political changes of the Weimar Republic laid the foundation for greater personal freedom and dissociation from the moral constraints of the imperial era. The young generation of women discarded their corsets and favoured dresses which just covered the knee. Sport clothing was also developed for women which fitted and emphasised their body shape. Spirited women joined the free-body movement which had to find places to practice ‘Swedish bathing’ without causing a public nuisance or exposing themselves to the voyeurism of others, such as at the Motzener Lake near Berlin or on the beach on the island of Sylt.
The majority of the sculptures show precisely this modern, self-assured type of woman enjoying the new freedom. Only a few try to evade confrontation with an unwanted viewer with coy gestures. Every sculpture, however, celebrates the beauty of the female body. Even the material, smooth white ivory, supports the perception of perfection. Almost every sculpture is mounted on a small, precious and carefully selected stone which emphasises its uniqueness. Some of the sculptors such as Demétre H. Chiparus, Paul Philippe or Ferdinand Preiss have repeated their successful motifs with small deviations in size or details. Yet, each of the 101 figures is unique.
Every sculpture has a marketing permit for the EU Single Market.
Auction Dates
Online Auction 1228 - Scent of Women 100 Art Deco female ivory figures
Auction
A private collection of 90 Art Deco female ivory figures of exceptional quality by Demeter H. Chiparus and Ferdinand Preiss, among others
Preview
Wednesday, March 8 – Tuesday, March 31
Monday-Friday: 9am-1pm and 2pm-5.30pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10am-4pm
The preview will be upholstered by a lent collection of 25 drawings by
Armand Rassenfosse, around the theme of dance and dancers, carefully matching the Art Déco and 1920s atmosphere of the ivory figures. Thanks to Thomas Deprez Fine Arts.
Catalogue
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 0221/92 57 29–30.
Edgar Abs
Press and public relations
Cologne, March 2023