What Is Ferdinand Preiss Known For
In the shimmering world of Art Deco, a style characterized by luxury, glamour, and technological progress, few names command as much reverence as Ferdinand Preiss. As one of the leading sculptors of the Art Deco movement, Preiss crafted exquisite works that epitomize the elegance and dynamism of the early 20th century. With his meticulous techniques and innovative blending of materials, Preiss left an indelible mark on decorative arts history. His sculptures, often idealized, stylized female forms, athletes, or dancers, embody the spirited optimism of the 1920s and 30s.
This in-depth exploration uncovers who Ferdinand Preiss was, his artistic contributions to the Art Deco movement, the techniques he used, the value of his works today, and where his sculptures can be found around the world.
Who Was Ferdinand Preiss?
Johann Philipp Ferdinand Preiss was born on February 13, 1882, in Erbach, Germany, a town in the Odenwald region that had a strong tradition of ivory carving. Orphaned at the age of 15, he was taken in by the family of his friend and fellow artist, Arthur Kassler. After an apprenticeship in wood and ivory carving, Preiss developed a deep understanding of intricate craftsmanship, an essential foundation for his later work.
In 1906, Ferdinand Preiss and Arthur Kassler co-founded the firm Preiss & Kassler in Berlin. The company quickly gained a reputation for producing luxury decorative art objects that captured the modern, geometric flair of the Art Deco movement. Preiss was the artistic force behind the company, while Kassler handled business affairs. Their studio flourished during the interwar years, exporting sculptures to elite clients in Europe and North America.
Preiss is best known for his chryselephantine sculptures, figures that combine ivory and bronze, often mounted on onyx or marble bases. These sculptures typically depicted modern women, dancers, athletes, and mythological themes in a manner that reflected the confidence, sensuality, and energy of the Jazz Age.
What made Preiss truly stand out among his contemporaries was his ability to infuse his figures with lifelike vitality. While many sculptors of the time relied heavily on stylization, Preiss maintained a harmonious balance between realism and modernist abstraction. The gestures of his figures are poised and fluid, capturing a fleeting moment or a dramatic stance. His attention to anatomical detail, expression, and posture revealed his deep respect for the human form.
Moreover, Preiss’s sculptures were small in size, generally meant for mantelpieces or decorative display, but they carried the emotional impact and artistic sophistication of much larger works. This unique blend of intimacy, craftsmanship, and modern style defines his legacy.
How Did Ferdinand Preiss Make His Art Deco Sculptures?
Creating a Preiss sculpture was a labor-intensive and highly specialized process. His studio was one of the few at the time that could seamlessly blend bronze casting with delicate ivory carving. Here’s a breakdown of how he achieved these stunning works:
1. Design & Modeling
Preiss began with detailed sketches and clay models of his subjects. He often drew inspiration from live dancers, athletes, and even theatrical performers of the era. His ability to capture motion and character began at this stage, where gesture and balance were meticulously planned.
2. Casting the Bronze
Once a clay model was finalized, it was used to create a mold for bronze casting using the lost-wax process, an ancient technique revived by modern sculptors. In this method, the original wax model is melted away inside a mold and replaced with molten bronze, creating a highly accurate replica.
Preiss was a perfectionist. After casting, each bronze component was hand-finished, chasing every detail until the surface was flawless. Patinas were carefully applied to give the bronze a warm, rich tone, typically in green, brown, or black.
3. Ivory Carving
The most delicate part of the process involved carving the ivory parts, usually the head, arms, or legs, by hand. Preiss’s training in Erbach gave him master-level skills in ivory carving. Every face was unique, carefully sanded and polished to express femininity, grace, or determination depending on the subject.
4. Assembly
The ivory parts were fitted onto the bronze body with invisible joins. A final polish brought harmony to the mixed media. Most sculptures were mounted on decorative plinths made of green onyx, marble, or other semi-precious stones, enhancing the piece’s Art Deco elegance.
This intricate combination of techniques set Preiss apart from many of his peers. Where others might have settled for uniformity or repetition, Preiss insisted on excellence and individuality in every sculpture.
What Is Ferdinand Preiss’s Most Famous Art Deco Sculpture?
While Preiss created hundreds of sculptures, a few have risen to iconic status in the art world. Among the most celebrated is “Con Brio” (also known as “Flame Dancer”), a dynamic sculpture of a female dancer in motion.
“Con Brio” features a partially nude figure in a dramatic pose, arms lifted, with flowing drapery that accentuates her movement. Her face, carved from ivory, radiates ecstasy and intensity. The sculpture is often considered the quintessential Preiss work because it perfectly encapsulates his strengths: elegant motion, sensuality, and Art Deco flair.
Other notable works include:
“The Butterfly Girl” – A figure of a young dancer with butterfly wings, symbolizing transformation and freedom.
“Diana the Huntress” – A stylized take on the Roman goddess, showcasing athletic grace and poise.
“Spring Awakening” – A more romantic and pastoral theme, diverging slightly from his urban, modern subjects.
These works are treasured for their beauty, but also as reflections of the era’s ideals, modern femininity, power, movement, and liberation.
How Much Are Ferdinand Preiss’s Art Deco Sculptures Worth?
The value of Preiss’s sculptures has appreciated significantly over the years, making them some of the most sought-after collectibles in the Art Deco market. Prices vary widely based on condition, provenance, size, and rarity, but here is a general guide:
Small to medium-sized works (8–15 inches): $20,000 to $100,000 USD
Larger or rare works: $100,000 to $250,000+
Exceptional, iconic pieces (like “Con Brio”): Can fetch over $300,000 at auction
The use of ivory, now strictly regulated due to conservation laws, has added complexity to the trade. Preiss’s works, made legally and ethically before such regulations, are typically grandfathered under CITES laws if accompanied by the proper documentation. This has made legitimate Preiss sculptures all the more rare and valuable.
Auction Houses such as Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and Bonhams regularly feature his work in their fine decorative arts or Art Deco sales. Pieces authenticated and with provenance often sell for well above their estimates.
Where Are Ferdinand Preiss Art Deco Sculptures Located?
Preiss’s sculptures can be found in museums, private collections, and occasionally in galleries or exhibitions specializing in 20th-century decorative arts. Here are some notable locations:
1. Museums
The Victoria and Albert Museum (London) – Holds examples of Art Deco sculpture, sometimes including works by Preiss or his contemporaries.
Museum of Decorative Arts (Paris) – Occasionally features Art Deco sculptures in exhibitions.
Cincinnati Art Museum (USA) – Known for a comprehensive decorative arts collection that includes 20th-century pieces.
2. Private Collections
Many of Preiss’s sculptures are in private hands, particularly collectors of Art Deco or European decorative arts. These works often appear in estate sales or as part of luxury interior design installations.
3. Art Fairs and Auctions
TEFAF (The European Fine Art Fair)
Masterpiece London
Art Deco Paris Fair
These fairs frequently display Preiss sculptures among other rare and valuable decorative art pieces.
4. Specialist Galleries
There are several European and American galleries dedicated to Art Deco and 20th-century decorative arts that regularly handle and exhibit Preiss’s work, such as:
Galerie L’Arc en Seine (Paris)
Macklowe Gallery (New York)
Judy Fox Antiques (UK)
Some of these sculptures are on loan or periodically rotated into public exhibition.
The Enduring Appeal of Ferdinand Preiss
Preiss’s legacy is not just in the extraordinary finesse of his sculptures, but also in how vividly they capture the spirit of a dynamic era. His works are monuments to a time of change, when women gained more visibility, when art embraced motion and abstraction, and when technology and craft met in dazzling harmony.
For collectors and art lovers, owning a Ferdinand Preiss sculpture is more than possessing a decorative object; it’s owning a slice of cultural history. The refinement of ivory faces, the smooth contours of bronze limbs, and the vitality that pulses through each piece make them timeless.
His influence continues today, with modern sculptors, designers, and fashion photographers still drawing from the sensual and dynamic poses found in his works. Museums and scholars continue to re-examine his role in shaping early 20th-century decorative art.
Ferdinand Preiss remains one of the most influential and beloved sculptors of the Art Deco movement. His work embodies the opulence and forward-thinking ideals of a transformative era. Each of his sculptures tells a story, not just of beauty and elegance, but of precision, vision, and mastery.
Whether you encounter a Preiss sculpture in a gallery, an auction catalog, or a museum, take a moment to appreciate the skill and imagination that went into its creation. It’s a testament to a golden age of design, and to the timeless allure of fine art. image/quittenbaum.de
