What Is Demétre Chiparus Known For
The Art Deco era, with its bold geometric lines, luxurious materials, and celebration of modernity, was a defining movement of the early 20th century. Among its most iconic figures was Demétre Chiparus, a Romanian-born sculptor whose intricate and graceful bronze and ivory figures came to embody the glamour, rhythm, and elegance of the time. Blending neoclassicism, exoticism, and a fascination with performance art, Chiparus’ work remains one of the most cherished contributions to the Art Deco canon.
This story delves into the life and legacy of Demétre Chiparus, his techniques, iconic works, current market value, and where today one can marvel at his masterpieces. It’s a tribute to a visionary who captured the spirit of an age in bronze and ivory.
Who Was Demétre Chiparus?
Demétre Haralamb Chiparus was born in Dorohoi, Romania, in 1886. Fascinated by the arts from a young age, he moved to Italy and eventually settled in Paris in the early 1900s, a city that was, at the time, the epicenter of artistic innovation and cultural vibrancy. There, he studied at the École des Beaux-Arts, a prestigious art school that shaped many of Europe’s most celebrated artists.
It was in Paris that Chiparus began sculpting in earnest, experimenting first with classical styles before gravitating toward the burgeoning Art Deco movement in the 1920s. He remained in France for most of his life and career, and it was there that he developed his distinctive style.
Chiparus is most famously known for his chryselephantine sculptures, a term derived from the ancient Greek technique of combining gold and ivory (chrysos = gold, elephantinos = ivory). In Chiparus’ case, he used gilded or cold-painted bronze and carved ivory, producing breathtakingly detailed figures that seemed to capture moments of movement, elegance, and style. These sculptures often portrayed dancers, actresses, children, and mythological figures, drawing inspiration from ballet, theater, the music halls, and Egyptian motifs.
His work stands out for several reasons:
Exquisite detail: From the flowing garments to the intricate jewelry and delicate facial expressions, every inch of his sculptures was rendered with remarkable precision.
Dynamic movement: Unlike the stiff poses of some contemporaries, Chiparus’ figures often seem caught mid-motion, twirling, leaping, or striking theatrical poses.
Exoticism: Chiparus was deeply inspired by the Ballets Russes and performers like Josephine Baker, incorporating exotic costumes and stylized dance poses that added to the allure of his work.
Through these sculptures, Chiparus became synonymous with the exuberance and cosmopolitan elegance of the Art Deco period.
How Did Demétre Chiparus Make His Art Deco Sculptures?
The process of creating a Chiparus sculpture was technically demanding and artistically meticulous. He relied on a method known as chryselephantine sculpture, a mixed-media approach that combined bronze with ivory. Here’s a breakdown of his artistic process:
1. Concept and Design
Chiparus often began with sketches or small clay models based on live performances or photographs. His muses were frequently dancers from the Ballets Russes or stars of the Parisian stage, including figures from cabaret and silent films.
2. Casting the Bronze
Using the lost-wax casting technique, an ancient method refined over centuries, Chiparus cast the bodies, garments, and accessories of his figures in bronze. The process involved sculpting the figure in wax, encasing it in a mold, melting out the wax, and pouring in molten bronze. Once the bronze cooled, it would be carefully cleaned, polished, and painted (a technique known as cold painting) to enhance detail and color.
3. Carving the Ivory
The faces and hands of the figures, those delicate parts where human expression and finesse are most visible, were individually carved from ivory. This gave Chiparus’ sculptures a lifelike quality and delicate beauty unmatched by all-bronze works.
4. Assembly and Finishing
Finally, the bronze and ivory pieces were combined, mounted on decorative marble or onyx bases, and finished with fine detailing. This labor-intensive method required not only artistic talent but collaboration with skilled artisans and foundries.
Chiparus worked closely with prominent Parisian foundries, including Etling and Les Neveux de J. Lehmann, who helped bring his vision to life. Each sculpture was often produced in limited editions, making his original works extremely valuable today.
What Is Demétre Chiparus’ Most Famous Art Deco Sculpture?
While Chiparus produced dozens of exquisite sculptures, a few stand out as particularly iconic:
1. “Danseuse au cerceau” (Hoop Dancer)
This sculpture epitomizes Chiparus’ fascination with movement and elegance. It features a dancer in a dramatic pose, balancing a hoop above her head, her costume richly detailed and finely painted. It is considered a masterpiece of Art Deco design.
2. “Les Girls”
An ensemble sculpture depicting three dancers in identical costumes, caught mid-performance. This piece highlights the symmetry and theatricality that Chiparus loved and is celebrated for its ensemble composition and intricate surface detailing.
3. “Antinea”
Inspired by the mysterious African queen of Atlantis from Pierre Benoît’s 1919 novel L’Atlantide, this piece embodies exoticism and feminine power. The regal pose and exotic costume make it a favorite among collectors.
4. “Starfish Dancer”
This is another of Chiparus’ most coveted works. The dancer’s pose, arms stretched wide with starfish-shaped extensions on the costume, makes this sculpture instantly recognizable and symbolic of the period’s fascination with fantasy and performance.
Among these, “Danseuse au cerceau” and “Starfish Dancer” are probably the most universally recognized and reproduced. They represent not only the sculptural finesse of Chiparus but also the peak of Art Deco’s golden age.
How Much Are Demétre Chiparus’ Sculptures Worth?
Original works by Demétre Chiparus are highly sought-after in the art market, commanding significant sums at auctions and private sales.
As of the last decade, small-scale original Chiparus sculptures can range between $30,000 to $100,000, depending on rarity, condition, and provenance.
Larger or more iconic works, especially those in excellent condition with original ivory and cold painting, have been sold for $200,000 to over $600,000.
A rare piece like “Les Girls” or “Starfish Dancer” in pristine condition, mounted on original base, has fetched upwards of $700,000 in elite auctions.
The value is driven by factors such as:
Authenticity: There are many reproductions; genuine pieces are authenticated based on foundry marks and provenance.
Condition: Damage to ivory, loss of paint, or restoration can reduce value.
Edition size: Some of Chiparus’ works were produced in very limited numbers.
Subject matter: Dancers, exotic figures, and theatrical themes tend to be the most valuable.
In recent years, there has been resurgent interest in Art Deco art, especially among collectors from the Middle East, Asia, and the U.S., leading to price increases at major auction houses like Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and Bonhams.
Where Can You See Demétre Chiparus Sculptures Today?
Though many Chiparus sculptures reside in private collections, museums and galleries around the world also house his work. Some of the notable locations include:
1. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA), Richmond, USA
The VMFA has a comprehensive Art Nouveau and Art Deco collection, including works by Chiparus. Their galleries showcase the period’s aesthetic richness and often feature Chiparus alongside Lalique, Armand Godard, and Erté.
2. Musée des Années 30, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
Located just outside of Paris, this museum is dedicated to the 1930s and houses one of the finest collections of Art Deco sculpture. It includes several original works by Chiparus.
3. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA
While the Met doesn’t have a large permanent collection of Chiparus, they occasionally exhibit his works in decorative arts exhibitions or feature them in collaboration with private collectors.
4. The Moscow Museum of Decorative, Applied and Folk Art
Chiparus’ Eastern European roots and popularity in Russia, especially due to his Ballets Russes inspiration, make his works a valuable part of Russian Art Deco exhibitions.
5. Private Collections and Auction Previews
If you’re unable to visit a museum, top auction houses like Sotheby’s or Christie’s often display Chiparus’ works before auction. These previews are open to the public and provide rare chances to see his sculptures up close.
Chiparus’ Lasting Influence and Legacy
Demétre Chiparus died in 1947, but his influence continues to ripple through the worlds of art, fashion, and interior design. His sculptures have inspired modern reproductions, fashion designs, and even film aesthetics. The timeless beauty of his subjects, combined with the meticulous craftsmanship and innovative technique, ensures his place among the giants of 20th-century sculpture.
In many ways, Chiparus was not just a sculptor, he was a choreographer in bronze and ivory, orchestrating motion, emotion, and drama into tangible form. His sculptures don’t merely depict movement; they celebrate life, femininity, elegance, and the joy of expression.
To gaze upon a Chiparus sculpture is to step back into the Roaring Twenties, a world of jazz, theater, flapper dresses, and cinematic elegance. His work captures not only the aesthetic of a bygone era but also the eternal human fascination with grace, beauty, and movement.
As both artist and craftsman, Demétre Chiparus bridged fine art with decorative elegance, producing objects that are as technically masterful as they are emotionally evocative. His name remains a hallmark of Art Deco luxury, and his sculptures continue to be treasured around the world.
Whether seen in a museum, a collector’s gallery, or at an auction house, Chiparus’ work speaks across generations, reminding us of a time when bronze could dance, and ivory could smile. image/morganstricklandantiques.com
