I am unable to reply to emails seeking information on Art Deco artists so I have put all my knowledge gained over 40+ years into one place. I will be updating these pages from time to time when new information becomes available and if you have information on Art Deco artists that I don’t have, please email it to me at info@sheryls-artdeco.com. Once verified, I will place on these pages.

There are a few publications available with knowledge of founders and sculptors – of which, notable are: Art Deco and other Figures by Bryan Catley, Dictionary of Sculptors in Bronze by James Mackay, Chiparus – Master of Art Deco by Alberto Shayo, Bronzes; Sculptors and Founders by Berman (Schiffer Books), also by Schiffer – Art Deco Sculpture and Metalware by Alfred W. Edward and Art Deco Sculpture by Victor Arwas. Some of these books I have for sale on the website.

Ablett, William (1877 – 1937)

English painter, designer and engraver who lived in Paris most of his life. At the age of 20 he entered the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts as a foreign student and was a regular exhibitor at the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts from 1910 to 1936. He began working with engravings during the early 1920s for magazines and reviews of which generally his works were of female figures related to fashion and the decorative arts.

In 1920 Ablett began working in prints and became one of the finest artists and interpreters of the Boudoir style of art, most famously popularised by his contemporaries Louis Icart, Jean Hardy and Paul Emile Felix.

In 1930, he became a Chevalier de Legion d’Honneur, and was elected to the Royal Academy of Arts. In 1937 he was fatally injured in a car accident near the Bois de Boulogne, and died the following morning at Beaujon Hospital.

Adnet brothers, Jacques (1900 – 1984) & Jean (1900 – 1995)

Jacques was a French interior designer & architect born in Chatillon-Cologny in 1900. Trained at the Ecole des Arts Decoratifs Paris. He worked with Selmersheim and Rapin and Dufrane, selling his items which included modernist furniture and lighting through La Maitrise and Saddler.

He lived and worked with his Twin brother Jean until 1928 when he took over the firm of Sue et Mare. During the 1950’s he created furniture and his works were commissioned for UNESCO and other prestigious buildings, including at the Elysée Palace.

Often working in collaboration with his twin brother Jean who was the display manager for galleries Lafayette and their joint works were marked JJ Adnet. Little information is known on Jean.

Aichele, Paul (1870 – 1940)

Born in Germany he first exhibited at the Berlin Art Exhibition of 1891, showing a statuette of a Bacchante. The following year he became a member of the German Academy of Arts. Subsequently he participated in the Berlin exhibitions, the Crystal Palace Exhibition in Munich and the Dusseldorf Arts Exhibition, mainly genre and allegorical figures.

Aladin

As of November 2023 we believe Aladin to be a pseudonym of Pierre Traverse. We were contacted by The family of Pierre Traverse who were kind enough to share an in depth document they had created detailing his life work. On the very last page, almost as an afterthought, were 3 pictures of ceramic statues and a note that during the 1920’s and 1930’s he made these ‘small objects’. The document also describe these ceramic statues as his ‘food’ works (his bread and butter).

I immediately recognised one of the statues to be by Aladin and contacted the Traverse family to ask if they were aware that the statues they had shown were by Aladin and did they know if Aladin was a pseudonym used by Pierre Traverse. After a quick conversation between the family we received the reply “That is correct”.

Aladin items are top quality and they produced items such as figural ink pots, ink stands, night lights, statues, flacons, perfume lamps and ashtrays. Aladin also produced pieces designed by various designers and some of the statuary artists – Leyritz, Roser, Godard, Bever and Kelety to name a few.

Many pieces were unmarked, some marked Aladin or Aladin Luxe and also some marked AR. Aladin items are now highly sought after worldwide.

Alliot – Lucien Charles Edouard (1877 – 9 March 1967 in Nanteuil-lès-Meaux, France)

Alliot was born on the 16th on November 1877 in Paris. He was a pupil of Louis Ernest Barrias and Jules Felix Coutan. Alliot was well known for his figurative sculptures which he exhibited from 1905 until 1934 at the Salon de Paris – receiving a third place award in 1907 and first place in 1920. When he finished exhibiting he became a jury member at the Salon evaluating sculptural works from 1934 to 1939.

He produced items made of spelter, terracotta, ceramics, bronze and ivory (chryselephantine) and bronze. Used the pseudonym Luce. He died in 1967.

Alonzo, Dominique

Female artist – born in Paris in the late 19th century. She was a pupil of Falguiere and exhibited her works at the Salon des Artistes Francais from 1912 until 1926. Most of her statues were small and art nouveau but she did produce a few deco pieces.

ATO – Leon Hatot (1883 – 1953)

Hatot was a French clock maker and is famous for producing one of the first battery operated clocks in the 1920’s. He patented the classic form of pendulum which used a magnet and coils to impulse the pendulum. This is achieved by the current from the first coil switching a transistor which supplies a larger current to the second coil at the right moment.

Lalique supplied some of the glass panels for some of his clocks. He used various materials to produce his clocks, marble, onyx, bakelite, wood and glass. Most of his clocks are very stylish and deco and although the batteries are no longer available to power them – a good clock man can usually do a conversion to a modern battery.

ATO clocks are now highly sought after world wide.

Argentor Werke

The firm Argentor Werke was located in Wimbergerstraße, in one of the inner districts of Vienna, a site where different metal-ware companies gathered together. It was the custom at the time for companies with reputation to invite artists to create designs which then were to be cast.

Argy-Rousseau, Gabriel (1885 – 1953)

Master craftsman and famous for his handcrafted pate de verre techniques – unlike many other glass decorators he never mass produced. Studied at the National High School for Ceramics in Sevres in 1902, completed a degree and first exhibited his work in Pate de Verre in 1914 at the Salon des Artistes.
Pate de verre consists of powdered glass moulded and then fused by heat. Changed his name to his wife’s maiden name in 1913. Displayed at most of the Paris Salons in the 1920’s. His work is highly sought after today and fetches a high premium.

Artus, Charles

It was originally believed that Artus was an early pseudonym of Max Le Verrier. We now know this was not the case. In fact Charles Artus was an artist who created stylised bird items working in conjunction with Max Le Verrier in the early years producing such statues as the pelican and the marabout in max’s first workshop which was founded in 1919 at 100 Rue du Thetre, Paris.

He produced items of stylised bird subjects from bookends and ashtrays to ceiling lights.

Original Artus inverted negatives from the Le Verrier foundry.

Bachelet, Emile Just

Born in Nancy, France on January 2, 1892. He studied in Nancy and Paris – where he also exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Francais in 1920. He was awarded a gold medal at the Exposition des Arts Decoratifs in 1925 for a bas-relief in the Nancy Pavilion. A Societaire of the Salon d’Automne, he exhibited at the Salon from 1926 – 1938.

He specialised in busts, figures, animals and small groups. He also exhibited at the Nationale and became an associate in 1929 and a member in 1933. Best known works were Piete Danseuse and Foal. He worked in bronze, spelter, terracotta and porcelain. Many of his works are on display in the Museums of Nancy and Epinal.

Bakelite – Dr Leo Baekland (1863 – 1944)

Belgian scientist, emigrated to the USA in 1889, hoping for better career opportunities. In 1907 he was working as an independent chemist when he accidentally discovered the compound of carbolic acid and formaldehyde. When he tried to reheat the solidified compound he discovered it would not melt, no matter how high the temperature. He was later able to trademark Bakelite as well as two other variations catalin and marblette which today are also referred to as bakelite.

Bakelite was the first synthetic plastic. Because of its durability and beauty its uses seemed endless, and it grew in popularity very quickly. Everything from electrical plugs, car dashboards, early radios and ornate jewellery were made from bakelite. It could be produced in a wide array of colours, but most common were white, brown, green and red. As a result of this invention, Dr Baekeland is seen as the father of the present plastic industry; costume jewellery from the 1920’s-1940’s bakelite era is now highly sought after.

Baker, Josephine (3 June 1906 – 12 April 1975)

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, USA and died in Paris. Her birth name was Freda Josephine McDonald.

Her early life hinted at her future career. She first danced for the public on the streets of St. Louis for nickels and dimes. Later she became a chorus girl on the St. Louis stage.

At age 15 she married Pullman porter William Howard Baker, but left him when she ran away from St. Louis at age 17, feeling there was too much racial discrimination in the city. She eventually made her way to Paris, France. Her first job in Paris was in “La revue negre”.

Her next significant job was at the Folies Bergere, where she was a member of the club’s all-black revue. It was there, in 1925, that she first performed her famous “banana dance”. She quickly became a favourite of the French, and her fame grew, but she had many ups and downs during her career.

Josephine helped the resistance during WW2 and was awarded a number of honours. She received the National Order of the Legion of Honour by General Charles De Gaulle, the Croix de Guerre by the French Military and the Resistance Medal by the French Committee of National Liberation.

Although popular in France, during the “Red Scare” era of the 1950s, instigated by ultra-right-wing US Sen. Joseph McCarthy (R-WI), she was falsely accused of being a Communist and informed that she was no longer welcome in the US (in 1937 she had renounced her American citizenship, utterly disgusted by the blatant and official racism against blacks, and became a French citizen).

In the late 1960s she began having financial difficulties, and stopped performing in 1968. Grace Kelly, who by that time had married Prince Rainier of Monaco and was now known as Princess Grace of Monaco, offered her a home in Monaco when she learned of Josephine’s financial problems.

Following the death of Martin Luther King Jr, Baker was approached by his wife Coretta and was offered a leadership role in the Civil Rights Movement due to her years of contribution to the cause but eventually rejected the offer, fearing for the safety of her children.

At the request of Princess Grace, Josephine performed at Monaco’s summer ball in 1974 and was a great success. That same year she staged a week of performances in New York City and called the show “An Evening with Josephine Baker”. She had just begun a Paris revue celebrating her half-century on the stage when on April 10, 1975, she was stricken with a cerebral haemorrhage and went into a coma. She died without regaining consciousness. Her funeral was held in Paris, and she was buried in Monaco.

Balleste, Enrique Molins-Balleste (1893 – 1958)

Born in Barcelona, a Spanish artist who later moved to Paris. It would appear that Molins and Balleste are one and the same artist and he would use either Molins or Balleste to sign his pieces. Some same figures are signed Molins whilst the other is signed Balleste. Often signed his name as BAL.

Famous for his theatrical and genre groups and figural lighting. Also made many sculptures using wood as the medium.

Barbier, George

A Frenchman considered by many to be one of the most significant artists of tour era, his paintings resurrect the spirit of the 1920’s. His first exhibition was in 1911 and his range was wide. He illustrated books for adults and children, costumes for the theatre, ballet, cinema and fashion magazines and calendars. He was a member of the Societe des Artistes Decorateurs and also designed jewellery, glass, fabric and wall paper. He was also a writer and wrote essays for the Gazette du Bon Ton between 1915 – 1925. He lived a short life and died in 1932 at the age of 50.

Barrias, Louis Ernest  (1841 – 1905)

Born in Paris to a talented artistic family, his father worked in porcelain and his brother Felix-Joseph Barrias was a famous painter. He was a French sculptor of the Beaux-Arts school. Louis studied with many different materials including oil painting, wood carving, stone bronze, marble and bronze and ivory. He was a student of the Paris Ecole des Beaux Arts in 1858 working under the tuition of Francois Jouffrey.

He produced many famous pieces including the Le Sermentdeo Spartacus which he made in 1872, it now stands in the grounds of The Tuileries Gardens in Paris. Many of his works were earlier but he did some art nouveau pieces and many tomb stones for famous people.

When his teacher Cavelier dies, Barrias took his place as Professor of the Paris Ecole des beaux arts and one of his students was Ary Bitter and Delagrange.

Barrias most famous piece was Nature revealing herself before Science – 1899. This statue was made in several sizes and materials such as bronze, bronze and ivory (chryselephantine), ivory and I believe alabaster. In 1865 Barrias won the Prix de Rome for study at the French Academy in Rome. Barrias was involved in the decoration of the Paris Opéra and the Hôtel de la Païva in the Champs-Élysées.

Barol, Jean (1873 – 1966)

French ceramics artist worked for the family run company of Clement Massier. The Massier company started in 1707 and was handed down to family members. It was famous for its metallic lustre glazes. Barol was the founder of the BACS ceramics company in Cannes, where they perfected a new technique for applying high fired enamel (cloisonne) to metallic lustre glazed items. He left Bacs in 1917 and joined Monteries producing similar wares. He rejoined Bacs in 1920 where he remained until 1927.

Bastard Georges (1881 – 1939)

French Dinandier. Studied at the Ecole des arts decoratifs and then at his Fathers atelier. He produced items from rare woods, ivory macassar, mother-of pearl, horn and semi-precious stone, and collaborated with Montagnac and Ruhlmann on several pieces shown at the 1925 Paris Exposition.

He was later made the director of Sevres porcelain company where he produced among other things a Robj style flacon series of bottles of sportsmen which are now highly sought after and very rare.

Bauhaus (1919 – 1933)

The German Bauhaus design school was founded by the architect Walter Gropius. Its members included engineers, designers, painters, sculptors and architects, who sought to relate form to function and aesthetic qualities to the demands of machine production, producing good quality household items mainly art deco in design.

Bayes, Gilbert (1872 – 1953)

Sculptor whose work spanned the Arts and Crafts Movement, Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Modernism.

Major works by him to be seen in London include the Queen of Time clock above the main entrance to Selfridges in Oxford Street, the frieze on the Saville Theatre (now a cinema) in Shaftesbury Avenue and the large panel outside Lords Cricket Ground.

Most notably, the frieze on Doulton House on the Albert Embankment, the building being completed in 1939 and demolished in 1979.

Other examples of his work are at the BBC, the Victoria and Albert Museum, Merchant Taylors’ Hall, the headquarters of the London Fire Brigade and the Law Society. In addition, Bayes carried out many commissions for private clients, in wood, ivory, bronze, stone and concrete, as well as in ceramic.
By far the greatest Art Deco sculptor in Britain, Bayes developed a characteristic style that is now highly evocative of its period. He was also responsible for more public sculpture between the wars than any other artist working in Britain, and so it is entirely fitting that his greatest, and most decorative, work should be on permanent display at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Bazin, Francois Victor (1897 – 1956)

Born Paris, his parents were copper engravers and medalists. He spent his childhood in Chile, where his father taught Fine Arts in Santiago. He studied in Paris in 1913 at the Arts Decoratifs and the Superior School of Fine Arts. In January 1916 he was conscripted, he joined the SPAD fighter squadron 164 squadron whose aircraft have engines by Hispano Suiza.

Francois was contacted after the war by the same company to create the radiator cap, their future cars taking the bird adorning the cabins of the victorious squadron of Guynemer.

The motor company of Hispano Suiza featured the Bazin stork car mascot in 1920. Between 1920 and 1935 Bazin created a large number of automobile radiator caps including the Stork for Hispano Suiza, Head Woman Mangbetu for Citroen Black Cruise, the flying winged man for Isotta Fraschini, an elephant head for Latil and the Centaur unicorn, plus many more.

After the war he completed his studies and was runner-up for the Prix de Rome in 1925. Winner of numerous awards (Fine Arts National Award) Francois spent time in Italy at the Villa Medici, Greece, Egypt (1929) and Madagascar (1956) where he created his statues, and some portraits in charcoal. Although not a Breton many of his works can be seen in Brittany including The Cross of Pen-Hir, the monument at the Pointe de Pen Hir and the Filles de la mer statue at Quimper. He died in Paris in 1956. Bazin pieces are now highly sought after and collected worldwide. They now realise top prices.

Bazor, Lucien

Born in Paris 18th January 1889, a pupil of his father Albert Bazor, later he attended the Ecole Nationale des Beaux Arts where he studied under Patey. BAZOR exhibited at the Salons of the Societe des Artistes Francais and won the Great Prize of Rome in 1923. From 1930 until 1958 he worked as chief engraver for coins.

Bazzoni, Alberto (1889 – 1973)

Italian artist, attended the Academia in Parma and studied under the Sculptor Gino Spalmach. Executed many war memorials after the first world war. During 1928-1931 he decorated the central station in Milan.

In 1936 he produced the famous relief ‘The fall of Lucifer’ in the Milanese Palace of Justice. He worked until just after the second world war. He is famous for his stylised modernist works which are all of exceptional quality. In my opinion – a genius.

Beaufils, Émile Jean Armel-Beaufils (1882- 1952)

French sculptor born in Rennes and originally studied law and literature but also attended the Rennes Ếcole des Beaux-Arts until 1905 before moving to the Ếcole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He exhibited his work at the Salon des Artistes Français and won a bronze and silver medal. He continued to exhibit every year between 1921 and 1951.

After the first world war he worked on several war memorials and commemorative memorials around Brittany and several commemorative memorials.

From 1929 he was involved in the production of porcelain figures in the Henriot Quimper faience factory. He was married to a fellow sculptor Zannic Armel-Beaufils (1892-1978).

Becquerel, Andre-Vincent (1893 – 1981)

Born at St. Andre-Farivilliers France, he studied under Hector Lemaire and Prosper Lecourtier.

He specialised in animal and children sculptures, showing a marked preference for predator, feline and ornithological subjects, which he exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Francais from 1914 to 1922 and where he became a lifetime member.

Worked mainly in bronze and bronze and ivory. Famous for his children studies and Venetian ladies.

Bengel, Jakob (1848 – 1921)

Famous for his art deco jewellery items made mainly from chrome and galalith, otherwise known as Schmuck. His company was based in Idar-Oberstein Germany and his designs are famous for their Bauhaus modernist styling. Galalith has been described as a synthetic material with unlimited possibilities and jewellery was certainly one of them, it was also used for buttons and boxes and many other items. It is made from a resin produced from casein milk and formaldehyde. Gala – is greek for milk and lithos – is stone hence the name Galalith.

Galalith jewellery was also produced in France and the Bengel company also exported worldwide. Many top designers worked for the company and the workers were highly skilled and trained mechanics and tool makers. Unfortunately the factory ceased production due to the second world war when jewellery production came to a halt and the machines were used for the war effort.

In recent years pattern books and unused pieces of jewellery have been discovered and we are now becoming aware of the extent of the items his firm designed and produced. Much of the original stock was unsold and left and forgotten, sealed away in time capsules at the factory and other outlets and has now been found and appears on the market. These items are therefore new/old stock and usually in extremely good condition. Many of the items on my site are from these sources.

There are two official books on Bengel jewellery. One called Art Deco Schmuck – Jakob Bengel Idar-oberstein Germany written by Christiana Weber. The other is Bengel Art Deco Schmuck, By Willy Linderman – Arnoldsche. Today Jakob Bengel’s wonderful jewellery is highly sought after by collectors worldwide and some of the top pieces command a high price. Check out my Jakob Bengel section for examples of his work.

Benoit, Georges

20th century artist/sculptor born in Paris and exhibited at the Salon des Independants from 1928-1930 and specialising in mantle clocks and lighting in marble, glass and bronze and produced wonderful animalier statues.

Bergman, Franz Xavier (1861 – 1936)

Austrian artist, produced many early 20th century pieces of mainly Arab influence or subject. Also produced mechanical figures. The most famous of the Viennese ‘cold painted bronze’ artists Franz Bergman delighted in producing Oriental and animal subjects. Recognised for his great attention to detail and wonderful vibrant colours, Bergman had a distinctive signature either a ‘B’ in a vase shape or ‘Nam Greb’ which reads Bergman in reverse. It is said that he used these marks as a ‘nom de plume’ as the subjects of his work were often unquestionably erotic and not to the taste of his family.

Bernard Joseph Antoine (1866 – 1928)

Foremost French sculptor, designed reliefs of dancers for the 1925 Paris Exposition, Pavillon des Collectionueurs. He was given his own exhibition area at the Exhibition and his work is highly sought after.

Bex, Pierre

Pierre Beroux owner of the Pierre Bex jewellery company, Paris. Pierre bought the original moulds, tools and equipment from an original 1920s jewellery company. He recreated items from 1969 until the end of 1980 using the original designs.

The factory is now closed, but the very high quality of its production, the use of the original tools and of the best materials give these items a great value. Nearly all the entire stock is now exhausted and is becoming harder to find and highly collectible.

Bitter, Ary Jean Leon (1883 – 1973)

Born in Marseilles, France, Bitter was a leading French sculptor during the inter-war period in France. He was a student of famous Masters and he won many prizes while still a student. In 1914, he created a monumental terracotta sculpture “Exhibition Sculpture” for the food pavilion in the “Exposition National Suisse” in Bern, Switzerland for the company of Nestle.

He was responsible for designing many monumental sculptures (eg., Lion et Enfant) which is still in its original location. Exhibiting regularly in the prestigious Salon des Artistes Francais, and other top salons in Paris. Many of his sculptures depicted subjects popular with the Art Deco movement.

His work is found in several important museums such as Musee National d’ Art Moderne (Paris), Musee des Beaux-Arts (Marseille), Musee Hector Berlioz, Musee Calouste Gulbenkian (Lisbon), and others. Monumental sculptures are located in Marseille, Cambo-les-bains, Sanary-sur-mer, Bargemon and Barentin. A true Master of his Art. There is a website on Ary Bitter at this address:- http://ary.bitter.free.fr/

Bizard, Susanne (1873 – 1963)

An early 20th century sculptor, born in St. Amand in France on August the 1st 1873, died in Paris January 21, 1963.

She exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Francais from 1900 till 1936. She produced many portrait reliefs, busts, statues of children and genre groups of which Vers’Ideal (1900), Honour and Money (1903) and Diane Attendre are the best known.

Blondat, Max (1879 – 1926)

An Art Nouveau sculptor who also made art deco statues. He was responsible for the creation of many public monuments in the form of tombs, fountains and memorials. Famous for his allegorical subjects, he was awarded the Legion of Honour in 1925. He produced reliefs for the dining room of the Pavillon de l Ambassade in the 1925 Paris Exposition.

Boch Freres, Keramis

The Belgian company of Boch Freres was founded in 1767 at Sept Fontaines in Luxembourg, following a split in the mid 19th century, when Boch Freres, Keramis, in Belgium was set up, It produced earthenware vases, tableware’s and candlesticks.

Their wares of the mid-1920’s to the 1940s represent the most important Belgian contribution to the Art Deco movement. Some stonewares were also produced but most of their pieces from this period were white-bodied.

Today Boch Freres items are highly valued and sought after, especially the pieces designed by Charles Catteau or Raymond Chevalier.

Bofill, Antoine

Born Barcelona, Spain, exhibited at Spanish and Paris salons during the 1920’s.

Bonaz, Auguste (1877 – 1922)

French costume jewellery maker, produced stunning contemporary style bone and celluloid deco jewellery. He did his apprenticeship in his Fathers workshop (Auguste Bonaz) in the late 19th century and took over its management in 1900 aided by his wife Marguerite. His wife ran the firm while he fought in the 1st world war.

The craft production of ornamental combs, highly fashionable at that time, developed rapidly with the discovery of new materials, namely celluloid and galalith.

In 1922, following the death of Auguste, his wife, Marguerite, took over the management of the factory, continuing the production of combs, but also creating galalith jewellery, including the necklaces, earrings, Brooches, and bracelets typical of the thirties, as well as wooden boxes. Marguerite died in 1927.

Borsdorf

Czech terracotta company producing mainly wall plaques in a smaller size.

Bosse, Walter (1904 – 1979)

Viennese bronze artist, born in Vienna in 1904. Worked for the Wiener Werkstatte and was a member of the Austrian Werkbunde. Produced many small bronze animals and figures similar to Hagenauer and Balle. He was a ceramist artist who worked in metal and ceramics. He produced designs for Goebel and Goldscheider and also produced his own items. Famous for his wall masks.

Bouraine, Marcel Andre (1886 – 1948)

Born in Pontoise, Seine-et Oise, France, a statuary artist. He was mainly self-taught but also studied under Jean-Alexndre-Joseph Falguiere (1881 – 1900).

He was taken prisoner by the Germans during the First World War and was interned in Switzerland, where he produced several monuments including one for the town of Lausanne.

In 1922, he exhibited at the Salon des Tuileries and later also exhibited at most of the main Paris salons. After the war he worked until 1935. He executed small-scale sculptures for many French firms, including Susse Freres, Etling, Max Le Verrier and Austria’s Arthur Goldscheider, often exhibiting with the latter’s La Stele and L’Evolution groups.

In 1928 Gabriell Argy-rousseau (1885- 1953) commissioned a number of figurines from Bouraine, mainly female nudes, but also a fountain and an illuminated group, all of which were executed in coloured, translucent pate de verre glass.

He executed two major commissions for the 1937 Paris International Exhibition. He is perhaps best known for his bronze figures, but he also produced statues in bronze and ivory (chryselaphantine) and ceramics. Many statues having a classical theme – like Pan, Satyrs, Diana the Huntress or his famous Amazonian Diana with shield and spear.

Bouraine used three pseudonyms which were Derenne, Denis and Briand (his mothers maiden name) and he sometimes signed his pieces A. Bouraine, using his middle name – Andre. These names were used mainly on the non-bronze art metal pieces that were produced by his life long friend and foundry owner – Max Le Verrier. Both Le Verrier and Bouraine were life long friends with Pierre Le Faguays and they all frequently worked together. They all studied together at the Beaux Arts in Geneva.

Many of the statues designed by Bouraine were produced in the Le Verrier foundry.

I now own important original documents transferring ownership of statues by Bouraine to the Le Verrier Atelier, signed by both Bouraine and Max Le Verrier.

Bourdelle Emile-Antoine. (1861 – 1929)

A portrait artist and ceramist. Famous or his ceramic wall masks.

Bousquet, Robert (1888 – 1917)

Exhibited at the Paris Salons from 1912 – 1914 and was only 29 when he died. Many of his statues tended to be equestrian themed as is the case with his large Ride of the Valkyrie statue where the horse and lady rider are flying through the air.

Boutarel, Simone

Born in Paris. She exhibited her works at the Paris Salons during the 1920’s and won a silver medal in 1937. She specialised in animalier groups and busts.

Boutrolle, Rene

Born in Paris, Boutrolle worked as a sculptor, his figures capture the combination of an essence of both the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods. He exhibited in Paris at the Salon des Artistes Francais and he received a commendation in 1927.

Brandt, Edgar (24 Dec 1880 – 8 May 1960)

Exhibited at many of the top Paris Salons. Famous for his high quality metal work – using mainly Bronze or wrought iron. He was a prolific arms designer during the first wold war and designed guns and heat rifle grenades and artillery shells.

After the war he moved on to making small jewellery items, boxes and lighting items. He went on to employ almost 150 artists to help create his works of art. He worked with many other famous artists – including Rhulmann, Dunand and Puiforcat, and also produced work similar to Paul Kiss. His business began to take off with special commissions such as the door of the French Embassy in Brussels, the Escalier Mollien stairs in the Louvre, and the stair and balcony railing for the Grand Theatre Municipal de Nancy.

Brandt’s career peaked in the 1920’s and 1930’s. He produced many very stylish entrances for shops in Paris and lighting which included ceiling lamps and chandeliers, table lamps and wall lights became an important part work. Brandt’s work was acknowledged by the American Association of Architects making him an honorary member in 1929.

As he became internationally famous, he expanded his business again and opened a state-of-the-art factory in the Paris suburb of Chatillon-sous-Bagneux, where upward of 3,000 workers fabricated both decorative metalwork and armaments under his name. His company was nationalised in 1936. Several years later World War II forced him to flee with his family to Switzerland. At war’s end in 1945 Brandt returned to France but chose not to reopen his studio. Instead, he worked on small projects until he died in 1960.

Brandt items are today extremely sought after and command high prices, relevant to the high quality of his work. Famous for his wrought iron work, he created an entirely new form of smithing and created a very impressive number of art historical works for buildings and for the home. His items included radiator covers, console tables, lamps, stair banisters, window grills, sculptures and gates, to name but a few.

He was inspired by the artist blacksmith Emile Robert and he became a leading force in Art Deco metal work. His shop in Paris was at 27 Boulevard Malesherbes. He produced much of the metal work for the Paris arts decorative exhibition and had his own Pavilion displaying his works.

Brandt is considered as one of the top Fer Forge artists along with Subes and Kiss. He is considered highly by collectors worldwide and on par with the other top deco artists like Lalique, Chiparus and Rhulmann. He epitomised the new art deco look of the new age deco years.

Breuer, Marcel (1902 – 1981)

Hungarian born furniture designer and architect. Taught at the Bauhaus as head of the furniture workshop. He worked in America and worked with Walter Gropius until 1941 and was a professor of Harvard from 1937 – 1947.

Briand

Pieces signed Briand were produced by the Le Verrier foundry in Paris during the deco years – ie. the famous bird lady and hoop lady (shown, right), and I now know that Briand was a pseudonym used by Marcel Bouraine who already used other pseudonyms – Derenne and Denis.

While Briand was a pseudonym used on Bouraines art metal pieces we do currently have a bronze Satyre and Goat statue on a stone base signed Briand. We don’t currently know of any other Bronze pieces signed Briand.

Bruning, Max

A master of many styles and artistic mediums, Max Bruning claims a major position in twentieth century German art. His first original paintings and prints were exhibited in 1910 and show stylistic elements of both Art Nouveau and Symbolism.

After the end of the First World War he turned more to both Expressionistic and Art Deco concerns. At this time Max Bruning’s art dealt almost entirely with the many elements of eroticism. During the 1920’s his watercolours were reproduced as ‘naughty’ postcards and imagery for advertising. He dedicated his more serious talents, however, to the creation of original etchings and drypoint engravings, some of which were finished with extra layers of colours applied by hand.

Max Bruning’s eventful life is almost as compelling as his art. He attended the Leipzig Academy of Art at the young age of fifteen and studied both painting and printmaking techniques there under Alois Kolb and Peter Halm. Upon completion of his studies, Bruning contributed drawings to the periodical, Ex Libris (1910). He also first exhibited his art in Munich during that year.

In the First World War (1914-1918), Bruning was commissioned as a war artist. Shortly after the war ended he settled in Berlin. As the Weimar era became increasingly threatened by the rise of the Nazis, however, Bruning moved to the Tyrol Mountains in Austria. He remained there during the entire Second World War. In 1943, Allied bombing attacks upon Berlin destroyed most of the remaining original copper plates of Bruning’s engravings. When the war ended in 1945, Max Bruning, a classified German citizen, was forced to leave Austria. He settled in Lindau in the following year and opened a studio. Most of his art from this period is landscape paintings and watercolours.

Although Bruning did not number his engravings and etchings in specific editions, they were published in quite small numbers. As well, many impressions were destroyed as degenerate art when the Nazis took power. Thus his remarkable art is today quite scarce.

Bugatti, Carlo (1855 – 1940)

Was an amazing Italian furniture designer and craftsman with his own individual style which was based on extravagant ornamentation, geometric shapes and Moorish themes.

He came to public attention when he designed the Moorish interior for the Italian section at the Turin International Exhibition in 1902.

His designs were as much works of art as pieces of furniture. He incorporated embossed metal appliques, or ivory or pewter inlay, used a variety of woods and/or decorative material, often including vellum perhaps painted with Arab figures or scenes.

Bugatti, Rembrandt (1885 – 1916)

Was the son of Carlo Bugatti the furniture designer and younger brother of Ettore Bugatti the famous automobile designer. A truly remarkable family. His career spanned a mere 15 years, but during that time he created some of the finest animal sculptures ever produced. He was awarded the Legion d’Honneaur in 1911. Committed suicide 1916.

BULLE

Clock makers of France. There is a lot of data on the internet about this maker, who made masses and masses of clocks between the two world wars and slightly after, in lots of case styles.

Burgner, Doerte (Dodo), nee Wolff. (1907 – 1998)

Dodo worked for Theodore Wolff, (no relation) who was the editor of the German satirical magazine ‘Ulk’, which was published between 1872 – 1933. Dodo worked for the magazine producing art work between 1927 and 1933 in Berlin.

She married a consultant lawyer named J Burgner and due to the war fled Germany in 1936 followed by her husband 2 years later.

Buthaud, Rene (1886 – 1986)

Important French ceramics artist, painter and engraver. Born in 1886 in Sainte France – he died in December 1986. His style is very recognisable and he drew his inspiration form many sources, many designs are geometric but his best pieces are figural, with stylised women and vegetation portrayed in his own very distinctive style. From 1903 until 1907, he studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Bordeaux and then he pursued his studies in Paris. In 1911, he had work of sufficient quality to show at the Salon des Artistes Francais.

He served in the war and after concentrated on ceramics and glass making. Working in Bordeaux he met Jean Dupas who encouraged him to concentrate his talents on ceramics. While he did sometimes use colour, his preferred palette tended to black, brown and earth colours. He also produced crackle glaze items which were often signed in his pseudonym – Doris. In 1919, he was the only ceramicist to have his work displayed at the prestigious Salon des Artists Decorateurs and the Salon d’Automne in Paris. His work was very well received, and was admired by Maurice Denis and Jean Dunand, who actually purchased his work. It was Dunand who nominated Buthaud for the Floren American Prize, and he was awarded 25,000 French Francs.

As his reputation grew, he was made a member of the jury for the Exposition des Arts Decoratifs, where he also exhibited his work. Buthaud’s work is highly sought-after today, and has been exhibited in a number of major museums, among them the Musee des Arts Decoratifs and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York city. The picture shows him with one of his famous 4 lady vases which was commissioned by Bordeaux pharmacist Monsieur Riviere.