Information on Artists & Sculptors (Page 2 – G to Z)
Popular artist
Galle, Emile (1846 – 1904)
The other famous French glass artist. Opened a small glass factory in Nancy France in 1874. He is probably the most famous of the glass artists and was famous for cameo glass, acid etching and enamelling. His company continued on after his death until 1935.
Galle was the principal force in a group of French Art Nouveau artists and designers working in and around Nancy. On his initiative in c1890 they formed a school. Members included the Daum brothers and Louis Majorelle. He is well known for his hand made high quality furniture and exquisite glassware.
Galle, Jean Joseph (b.1884)
born in Rennes, he studied under Coutan and exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Francais. He produced a number of monuments and statues and specialised in portrait busts and medalions.
Gallo (1887 – 1956)
Ignacio Gallo was born in Valladolid, Spain in the 19th century. He worked mainly in bronze from 1910 to 1935 specialising in statuettes of bathers, dancers, nudes and pagan goddesses. I believe his main foundry was Marcel Guillemard.
Gancheff – Ganu
Bulgarian born who exhibited at the Paris Salon of Socite des artistes Francais in 1930. He worked in bronze and bronze and ivory, I believe his statues were produced by the Goldscheider foundry.
Gerdago (1906 – 2004)
Born Gerda Gottstein in Vienna. She studied art in Berlin and later in Paris and worked for Oskar Strnad who was an architect and film set designer. Gerdago was a pseudonym made of the letters of her real name. In the 1930s she was a costume designer for theatrical performances and films. She was jewish and her parents were gassed in Auschwith in 1944, she escaped as she had married a non jew. Her Art Deco sculptural items were made by the Austrian company of Arthur Rubinstein. Mystery regarding whether the statues were made by her or by the Austrian artists Karl Perl and Theodore Ullmann who worked for the Rubinstein company. These two artist were also known to have worked with Gerdago. Most of her pieces were produced in bronze and ivory and wore futuristic and extravagant costumes in bright enamel colouring. She was 97 when she died. Her work is now highly sought after and commands high prices.
Gauthier, Joseph
Born Carcassone early 20th century, exhibited sculpture items in the Paris salons during the 1920’s.
Gennerrelli, Amadee
born in Naples in 1891. Many believe his name to have been Amadeo but it was not, it was Amadee. I have gained this information from some Interior design magazines that I have dating from the 1920’s. It would appear that he did not go to an Art School but was an apprentice of Francesco Jerace – it was during this time that he gained his notoriety. He produced many bronzes and terracotta’s some of which were retailed through Alfred Dunhill 15 Rue de la Paix Paris. Dunhill also had branches in London and New York. Many of Gennerrelli’s terracotta’s were made using the lost wax method and limited to only 10 copies of each. His work is highly collectible today and admired for the quality of workmanship.
Gilbert, Alfred (1854 – 1934)
Born London 1854. Most famous work, Eros in London’s Trafalgar Square. Died 1934. Having been made bankrupt in 1903 and resigned from the Royal Academy moving to Brussels where he sculpted various commercially successful Art Deco female statues until 1926. He was readmitted to the Royal Academy in 1932 and received a knighthood in the same year.
Gilbert, Andre
A French artist working mainly in bronze and bronze and ivory. Born in Pontoise – he created statues that were produced by L.N. de J. Lehmann and by the Etling foundry. Most subjects were of Pierrot’s and Columbines.
Godard, Armand
French impressionist and modernist sculptor worked during the 1920s and 1930s deco years. Working in various materials including spelter, bronze, chryselaphantine (bronze and ivory) and ceramics. Most of the ceramics were produced by the French company Aladin. Most of his bronzes were produced by the Edmond Etling foundry in Paris.
There is very little information available on this artist but one of his most famous pieces is the Bubble Dancer based on the actress Georgia Graves who performed with a bubble at the flies bergere in the 1920’s. His items are highly sought after worldwide due to the high quality of his work.
He favoured female dancing poses and many of his sculptures were based on the exotic females of the times.
In 1937 he exhibited a large plaster sculptor at the International Exhibition in Paris.
Goebels
The firm of Goebels opened in 1871 in Thuringia, Germany a town well known for its wonderful porcelain and ceramics. Franz Detleff Goebel and his son, William, began by making slate pencils and children’s marbles, eventually he went on to produce ceramics. In the early years the company concentrated mostly on dinnerware and figurines. Later on the company was taken over by Franzs son William who had a good eye for marketing and fashion. He expanded the product line and changed the company name to W.Goebel Porzellanfabrik. William sent his young son Max Louis to America. Although he returned with many new ideas the company was badly hit by the first world war and the stock market crash and nearly went out of business.
By 1935 the firm was saved by the discovery of the artwork of a Franciscan Sister, Maria Innocentia Hummel, a gifted, academy-trained artist. Her art work of children was being printed in the form of post cards and was proving to be very popular. Goebel produced these children figures as small figurines and they sold very well and are still highly collected today. Since the Second World War, the firm has expanded and increased production, and is now in its sixth generation of family management. The company now consists of seven firms and has over 1800 employees worldwide.
Goebel-Bieber
Ceramics company formed by Kurt Goebel and his first wife Erna Bieber. Produced statues and wall masks.
Goldscheider, Frederic
Moved from the Bohemian City of Pilsen to Vienna and in 1885 opened the famous Goldscheider factory there. Here he made a name for himself as a ceramist working in several mediums including terracotta, ceramics and bronze. He had subsidiary companies in Florence, Paris and Leipzig. For over half a century Goldscheider created masterpieces of historical revivalism, Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) and Art Deco. He employed many famous and independent artists to create designs for him – these were to include, Josef Lorenzl, Stefan Dakon, Ida Meisinger, Prischl and the two perhaps best known Austrian ceramic artists Michael Powolny and Vally Wieselthier.
He is famous for his high quality and now very collectible Busts and wall masks. Frederic was forced to emigrate in 1938 due to war and anti-semitism. The company continued to produce items during the war but the range of models were considerably reduced. After temporary nationalisation the firm was restored in May 1950 to its former owner Walter F. Goldscheider. More than 9,000 different models were created over a period of three generations. Many pieces won gold medals and prizes at world fairs recognized for the exceptional quality of items. The company closed its doors in 1953 when the old moulds were destroyed. Goldscheider figures are nowadays very much sought after by collectors world-wide and reach astonishing prices at top auction houses all over the world.
Gomme, Ebenezer (G Plan)
English furniture maker who set up his business in 1898 in High Wycombe, in Bucks. During the First World War the company was set to making DC9 aircraft but in 1922 the factory was completely gutted in a disastrous fire. Nevertheless by 1939 it had become one of the largest manufacturers in the industry at the time. Gomme produced some extremely unusual deco furniture, mainly made of limed oak or oak painted in very brave bright colours. These deco items of furniture do not yet realise the prices that they should. Gomme’s deco items were of good quality and very stylish. During the second world war the company helped to produce the Mosquito aircraft and the experience gained in machining and assembling wooden parts to tolerances normally associated with metal working stood the company in good stead when life eventually got back to normal in the 1950’s. Once again there was much pent up demand to supply and Donald Gomme – Ebenezer’s grandson – was able and willing to supply it. One of his many bright ideas was to promote his products direct to the consumer – unheard of at that time for a manufacturer. And thus G Plan – the name he coined in 1953 – became the first furniture brand to be heavily promoted through advertising. In fact G Plan can lay claim to a whole series of ‘firsts’ in the world of furniture. It was the first company to introduce the concept of whole house furnishing – much boosted by significant TV advertising in the early seventies. In those heady days there was even a flagship London showroom in George Square, W1. It was also the first to introduce modular furniture: Form Five was the name of the first range, which had a base unit with a sliding door mechanism and five bookcase display elements for the tops. G Plan was also the first to introduce flip action extending dining tables; and the first to put stops on cutlery drawers to prevent them (and their contents) from being spilled onto the floor. In 1987 the Gomme family – major shareholders in the company, which had gone public in 1958 – decided to retire. They sold the business to the then directors, who, three years later, sold it to the Christie Tyler group of companies. In 1996 the Morris Furniture Group acquired the licence to make and market G Plan Cabinet furniture from its state of the art facilities in Glasgow. It has since developed and extended the range into today’s highly successful collection, securing the future of the famous brand for the 21st century.
Gori, Georges
Georges Gori born in Paris at the turn of the century, he studied under Injalbert and exhibited his works at the Salon des Artistes from 1929 and won a bronze medal in 1931.
Gory, Affortunato
Italian sculptor born in Florence in 1895 and died in 1925. Worked mainly in bronze or bronze and ivory but also produced a few spelter pieces. Exhibited in Paris.
Goupy, Marcel (1886 – 1954)
He was primarily a designer rather than a glass maker and was a student of the Decorative Arts National school of Paris. Famous as a painter, ceramist, jeweller and glass worker and decorator. He often worked in conjunction with other artists like August Helingenstein (1891 – 1976) who decorated most of the Leunne glass pieces. From 1918 he designed a range of glassware which he hand decorated in simple designs. In 1919 he was asked to work with Georges Rouard at his shop in Paris. This is where he produced many of his amazing art deco glass ware. Rouard promoted Goupy’s work along with other glass artists such as Lalique, Maurice Marinot and Jean Luc. Most of his art deco items are his vases and they are now extremely collectible. Many Goupy designs were actually designed by Helingenstein but signed M. Goupy. Much of his work was not signed at all.
Granger, Genevieve (1877 – 1967)
Sculptor and Ceramist, studied under Henri DUBOIS, became a member of the Society of French artists in 1899, winning a medal from them in 1927. A former member of the Salon of Artistes and decorators.
Gregoire, emile
Emile Gregoire, specialised in genre sculpture working in Brossac France in the early 20th century. Gregoire was born in 1871, and was a French artist who studied under Dubois and Thomas. Won the Prix de Rome Medal in 1899. Famous for specialising in medals and plaques.
Grossl, Karl
Ceramist and modeller worked mainly freelance and on commission for Goldscheider, Keramia, Majolika-Fabrtik, Rorstrand and Jasba. Designed a large amount of wall masks for Keramia and Keramos. Later her became a ceramics teacher.
Grun, Samuel
Russian artist worked in London and Paris during the 1920’s and 1930’s. Exhibited at the Royal Academy and Paris Salons.
Gual, Jaume Sabartes (1881 – 1968)
Born in Barcelona, 10 June 1881, died Paris, 13 February 1968.
Spanish Catalan sculptor, poet, journalist and collector. He was a cousin of the painter Joan Miro. Sabartes studied sculpture at the Escuela de Bellas Artes in Barcelona. Although he exhibited at the Sala Pares, Barcelona (1901), he concentrated on writing modernista poetry, though with little critical success, while frequenting intellectual gatherings at the Quatre Gats. Through the sculptor Mateo Fernandez de Soto (b 1884) he met Picasso in 1899 and was deeply impressed, despite being the target of his ridicule. In 1901-2, like Picasso, he lived in poverty in Paris. In 1904 he turned to journalism, moving to Buenos Aires before settling in Guatemala City by 1906. He introduced local artists to contemporary European developments through gatherings at his studio, most significantly encouraging Carlos Valenti (d 1912) and Carlos Merida to move to Paris in 1912. For 30 years he maintained a correspondence with Picasso, and on returning to Europe in 1935 he was invited to become Picasso’s business secretary when the latter briefly abandoned painting in favour of automatic writing. He managed in occupied Paris however, to have Picasso’s sculptures cast in bronze despite the military appropriation of metal. On Sabartes’s death, Picasso donated his Las Meninas series (1957) to the Museu Picasso in Barcelona in his memory.
It is known that Gual worked in the studio of Henry-Paul Rey, producing bronzes, and Gual’s association with Rey greatly benefitted Rey’s success as an artist.
Guerbe – Raymonde Guerbe Le Faguays (1894 – 1995)
Born in Paris, she was the wife of Pierre Le Faguays and and amazing artist in her own right. She created many popular sculptures including Reverie, Espana and Automne which she sold to the Le Verrier Foundry who produced them. She also used the pseudonym Andree Guerval. In 1931 her husband Pierre Le Faguays painted a portrait of her that was exhibited at the Salon d’Automne. She was also the model for many of his sculptures.
She worked in various mediums – art metal (spelter), bronze bronze and ivory and terracotta. The bronzes were produced by Les Neveux de J. Lehman, Etling Susse Freres. Her art metal pieces were produced by the Le Verrier foundry as were some of her bronzes. In the case of the pieces produced by the Le Verrier foundry, she would create the statue and sell it to the Le Verrier foundry.
I have the original receipts of sale (letters of Proprietre) from the Le Verrier archives where she signs her name as Madame Raymond Guerbe Le Faguays. She along with her husband – Pierre Le Faguays and Marcel Bouriane was best friends with Max Le Verrier.
Guerval, A. –
First exhibited in 1924. Her most famous work was entitled Dawn.
Guillard, Marcell (b. 1896)
Guillard produced work for the Salon of Independence. He also formed a workshop with Andre Fau in Boulogne-on-Seine, France during the 1920’s. At this time many top artistes worked for Guillard and Fau and Therse including Wuilleumier, Leyritz, Guiraud-Riviere, Martel, Tribout, Goupy and Godard. When the company folded in 1926 Guillard continued with the financial help of the Etling company. Etling being famous in their own rights as a foundry producing bronzes, terracottas, glass and ceramic ink pots, bookends, night lights and perfume burners. Many top prolific sculptural artists already worked in conjunction with with the Etling studio, such as Becquerel, Granger, Guiraud-Riviere, Bouraine, Colinet, Le Faguays, Lucille Sevin and Demetre Chiparus to name a few. The items produced after 1926 often bear the Etling and the Guillard foundry stamps and are sometimes also signed by the artist. These pieces are highly sought after worldwide and command high prices from collectors due to the quality and rarity of the items.
Gueron, David,
Of Turkish origin and a former soldier in the French Foreign Legion, was the founder of the “Cristalleries De Compiegne”. This glassworks mainly produced household glass in the early 1920’s. In 1926 he founded a new factory, which he called ‘Verrerie D’Art Degue’ and put all his efforts in the design and production of Art Deco luxury art-glass. His new factory was located on the “Boulevard Malesherbes” and his showroom was on the “41 rue de Paris”. His new factory mainly produced vases, lamps and chandeliers.
Guillemette l’Hoir jewellery (1976 – 1985)
Francois Schoenlaub first became aware of Galalith (or French bakelite) in 1976 when he stumbled across some art deco jewellery that was signed Auguste Bonaz. Bonaz was a creator of chrome and galalith jewellery based in Oyonnax, Germany. The factory of Bonaz had practically ceased its production and Schoenlaub was quick to realise the potential of using the galalith as a medium to create contemporary designer jewellery. After 14 years spent in advertising Schoenlaub was very creative and recognised its potential. He contacted a French factory which still produced galalith and set up the company GUILLEMETTE L’HOIR, PARIS (named after his companion of the time). THe company was owned and run by Francois and his sister who later set up a company called Isadora – Paris. He designed and produced his first collection of jewellery in 1976 – refined and minimalist in style and it was instantly successful. He mixed galalith with other materials – precious wood, plexiglass, horn, black rubber – each piece cut and crafted by hand and then polished. He invented subtle ranges of colour, taking inspiration from the major creative trends of the time, notably the Memphis group, resulting in eye-catching jewellery. His items of jewellery are on show at the Museum of decorative Arts in Paris. The business closed in 1985 and his pieces are highly sought after by collectors worldwide. You can view his website at www.schoenlaub-galalith.com and also check out www.guillemette-lhoir.com
Hagenauer
Austria and its cultural centre of Vienna has produced some amazing bronze artists. Lorenzl Baller Bosse and Hagenauer who between them produced some wonderful decorative accessories and sculptural items during the Deco years. The firm of Hagenauer was first started in 1898 by Carl Hagenauer (1872 – 1928) and produced items designed by Hagenauer and many other artists including Josef Hoffman and the Wiener Werkstatte. Carl Hagenauer was an apprentice Goldsmith for Austrian Jewellery firms. The firm of Hagenauer exhibited its work at many Exhibitions in Paris, London and Berlin and its works were widely exported world wide. The Hagenauer company was a family run business and Carls son Karl (1888-1956) joined his Father in the firm in 1919 aged 31. He contributed considerably to the firm as he was highly appraised sculpture in his own right. Other members of the family also contributed styles and techniques to the Hagenauer company.
Harders – Hans (1875 – 1955)
German statuary artist who studied in Berlin and Dresden at the Academy of Fine Arts. Worked with Rosenthal producing ceramic pieces and Maerder. His bronze and ivory and bronze pieces were produced by Preiss and Kassler who produced the Ferdinand Preiss statues.
Hatot, Leon – See ATO.
Hettier and Vincent
Quality French art deco glass retailers. Opened a shop in 1926 Place des Vosges Paris. Selling mainly lighting but also other glass items. Metal holders and frames were made of silvered bronze or fere forge (wrought iron). The glass used in their items was top quality and often made by Verlys, Des Hanots, Les Andeleys, Muller Freres and Baccarat. Signature is usually hard to find as it is in very small letters usually to the edge of the glass.
Hemming, Oliver
Producer of modernist table wear items and clocks. Born in Kenya in 1959, he spent his childhood in England. As a teenager he lived in London and went to St Paul’s school and then on to art school in Oxford and Leicester. Studying 3D Design and Silversmithing he won several design competitions including the Johnson Mathey Silver Award in 1982 and a Bursary from the Royal Society of Arts.
On graduating from college he opened his own Silversmithing studio and worked mainly on private commissions. In 1985 he started the brand Ziro, making contemporary clocks and watches. Ziro became very influential in the development of contemporary clock design and by 1995 Ziro employed about 50 people in two factories in the UK and USA, making around 350,000 pieces a year with exports to over 35 countries. The business was sold in 1998 and Oliver took the opportunity to take a 2-year sabbatical.
Now living with his family in Hong Kong, Oliver has started a new business and has put together this focused, yet diverse collection. Working in his own factory again he exports his work all over the world and his designs are widely regarded as being distinctive, innovative and uniquely differentiated. The Oliver Hemming Difference having achieved numerous accolades for design excellence, Oliver has taken his skills in aesthetic design and product development and set-up his own factory in Donguan, China. Oliver is responsible for all elements of the design and production of his collection.
Herbst, Rene (1891 – 1982)
Pioneer of Modernism, nicknamed the man of steel. He pioneered the use of the material for furniture and other items in the 1920s – years before it was used for mass production on a large scale. He created enduring furniture of simple and functional form and elegance. There is a collection of his work at the Library of the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris. This focuses on Herbst’s idea of promoting modern living. Rene Herbst studied architecture in London and Frankfurt from 1908. After finishing his studies, he travelled extensively in Russia and Italy but by 1919 Rene Herbst was again in Paris, where he started working as a furniture designer and interior decorator. He founded Etablissements Rene Herbst to produce the pieces he designed. In 1925 Herbst designed several exhibition stalls for the Paris “Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes”. In 1927 Herbst designed the revolutionary and functional “Chaise Sandows” seat furniture. The frames were nickel-plated tubular steel, the seat and back was made of rubber strips stretched taut and fastened to the frame by hooks at the end. He first showed his “Chaise Sandows” at the 1929 Salon d’Automne, where Le Corbusier also presented furniture with tubular steel frames. In 1930 Herbst joined Robert Mallet-Stevens, Francis Jourdain, and others in founding the Union des Artistes Modernes (UAM) – a large group of artists and designers committed to Modernism joined the co-founders. The UAM was founded as a countermovement to Art deco, which the UAM artists repudiated because they found it overloaded with decoration and too ornamental. In 1945 Herbst was elected chairman of the UAM gewahlt. The UAM mounted exhibitions in Paris under the heading of “Les Formes Utiles” (Utilitarian Forms). Herbst died on 29th September 1982, by coincidence the same date that his archives – his final legacy – were entered into the Bibliotechque des Arts Decoratifs.
Hoffman, Alfred (b. 1879)
Austrian born, travelled extensively and most of his statues were of a classical theme. Worked mainly in bronze and ivory.
Hoffman, Heinrich (1875 – 1938)
One of the foremost designers of Czechoslovakian art glass in the form of scent bottles, powder boxes, atomizers, boxes and vases etc. Heinrich was the son of Franz Hoffman and came from a long family line of Bohemian glass makers. He later worked in conjunction with his son in law Henry Schlevogt, himself a top glass artist. Both men were very successful and pioneers in unusual glass colours and styles, specializing in molded glass. Hoffman had a glass firm in Paris and in Gablonz. Many pieces of Hoffman glass were not marked at all but those that were bore the butterfly mark. The Hoffman company also produced glass eyes for those who lost them in the war. He pioneered the method of pressing glass in the negative from the reverse side – known as Intaglio. This method was used for scent bottle stoppers, ashtrays, pin trays trinket dishes, box lids, handles for mirrors and edges for trays. The Hoffman firm used many top designers including – Frantisek, Adolf Becker, Alexander Pfohl and Professor Zdenek Juna. Henry Schlevogt married Hoffmans daughter who died giving birth to his daughter – Ingrid. Hoffman and Schlevogt worked together and created a new line in commemoration and they called it the Ingrid line. The firm ceased production in 1945.
Hutschenreuther, Carl Magnus (b. 1793)
Born Thuringia, Germany, ceramics painter and decorator who founded the first porcelain studio in Bavaria producing excellent quality ceramics using kaolin in 1814 while just 21 years old. He opened a second factory in 1857 in Selb, (home of Rosenthal), and with his son Lorenz taking charge, started producing stunning quality ceramics at both sites using models created and decorated by brilliant artists such as Werner, Fritz, Defanti, Tutter and numerous others. In 1969 both factories joined under the name of Hutschenreuther AG, in Selb, where quality ceramics are still being produced.
Ingels, Domien
Born in Gent Belgium 1881 – 1946, Exhibited at Academy Des Beaux Arts in Gent, where he later became a teacher. A Sculptor who worked in many mediums including wood, plaster, terracotta and metal. He excelled in Animal subjects, Busts, wall Plaques and was responsible for several Monuments in Antwerp. In 1930 he opened a business producing wall plaques and masks in Drongen, Belgium. He showed these at the Exposition International des Arts and Techniques in Paris in 1937.
Jaeger, Gotthilf (b. 1871)
Born 29th June 1871 in Austria, he studied at the schools of arts and crafts in Iserlohn and Karlsruhe, at the Karlsruhe academy and at the Stadel Institute in Frankfurt and Main before going on to live and work in Berlin. Where he produced his works in bronze and ivory.
Jacquemin, Jean (1894 – 1941)
French sculptural artist. It is not known for sure if this was the person or a firm Jacquemin et Bleriot in Paris. Mainly sports related subjects like skiers and skaters.
Janle
Janle was one of the sculptors whose work was produced by the Le Verrier foundry, Paris during the 1920’s. Pieces were produced in spelter, pewter and bronze.
JMP
The French company JMP has made jewellery for numerous couture designers including Christian Lacroix’s, Dior and Chanel.
Jacques, Felix (1897 – 1966)
French sculptor, career currently unknown although he seems to have produced some religious items including crucifix, plaques and statues during the deco period and has links to Brussels – possibly a foundry which produced his work for a time.
Joma
A French glass factory, dates unknown, but they were definitely very busy during the 1920’s – 1930’s. It was during these years that the many hand painted enamel vases and other items were produced. Mostly in bright Deco geometric or floral designs. The company also produced press-moulded vases which are usually signed Joma Fabrications Francaise.
Jonette Jewellery
The Jonette Jewellery Company, was set up by a couple called by John and Etta, hence the name Jonette. It was based in Rhode Island, USA and started business in the 1920’s making humourous and unusual jewellery to suit all tastes. I have included many of their items on my websites as I think the quality is excellent and the ideas, many of which are Deco themed – are very innovative. All brooches are fitted with a safety clasp, signed JJ and some are very large in size, making a very big Deco statement at an affordable price.
Jorel, Alfred
Worked in Paris as a genre sculptor and died there in 1927. Was an Associate of the Artistes Francais in 1896 and 1927 just before his death he was awarded a third class medal in 1907.
JOUANNEAULT, Albert Constant (1888 – 1944)
French, born June 9th 1888 in Saumur where there is street named after him. Fought in the first world war and was commissioned to design numerous war memorials in the inter war years. During the second world war he became Director of Office for Food and joined the Saumur Resistance movement for whom he produced fake ration cards. He was arrested during a raid in September 1943 and deported to Buchenwald where he died in 1944.
Kandinsky, Wassilly Wassilyevich (1866 – 1944)
Russian painter and art theorist. Considered by many as the pioneer of abstract art. Born in Moscow where he graduated at Grekov Odessa Art School. He also studied law and economics.
In 1896, Kandinsky settled in Munich, studying first at Anton Azbe’s private school and then at the Academy of Fine Arts. He returned to Moscow in 1914, after the outbreak of World War I.
Following the Russian revolution, Kandinsky became an insider in the cultural administration of Anatoly Lunacharsky and helped establish the Museum of the Culture of Painting. However, by then his spiritual outlook was foreign to the argumentative materialism of Soviet society and opportunities beckoned in Germany, to which he returned in 1920.
There he taught at the Bauhaus school of art and architecture from 1922 until the Nazis closed it in 1933. He then moved to France, where he lived for the rest of his life, becoming a French citizen in 1939 and producing some of his most prominent art. He died in Neuilly-Sue-Seine in 1944.
Kauba, Carl (1865 – 1922)
Born in Austria, Kauba was a student of Carl Waschmann and Stefan Schwarts in Vienna, he specialised in cold painted bronzes depicting scenes from the American West. Never visiting America himself, Kauba was inspired by the romantic stories written by the German Carl May and the many photographs and illustrations of Indians and cowboys which he had seen. Although his work was exported to the U.S from 1895 to 1912, he was not fully appreciated there until the 1950’s.
Keck – Hans (1875 – 1941)
Born in Austria, he worked with the Gebruder Brandel foundry in Berlin. Most of his pieces were Nouveau bordering onto Art Deco. They were classical and Medieval subject in bronze and ivory.
Kelety, Alexander (d. 1940)
Born in Budapest, Hungary date unknown, worked 1918-1940. Studied in Toulouse France along with Imre Simay. He then moved to Paris where he studied and exhibited during the inter war years. Highly acclaimed for the quality of his works which are well sought after by collectors world wide. His most famous pieces being ‘The release’ and ‘The Archer’ – he also produced some wonderful children statues of exceptional character and quality. Worked in bronze, bronze and ivory and ceramics. Most of his bronzes were produced by Goldscheider, Etling and Lehmann. His animal subjects were produced by M. Ollier and he also produced male and children statues. A prolific artist his items were used as other household items such as bookends, lighting and incense burners and ashtrays. He liked the dinanderie technic as a finish.
Keramia
Austrian ceramics company, producing ceramic figures and wall masks. Many of the masks designed by Karl Grossl
Keramos – Keramos Wiener Kunstermik
A Vienna ceramics company famous for its wall masks which in 1939 joined forces with Porzellanmanufaktur Bruder Wolf KG to become Keramos. Among the owners were two sculptors/ceramists Robert Obsieger and Rudolf Podany. The company produces earthenware statues and many wall masks which were designed by Stephan Dakon, Rudolf Podany and Ina Eisenbeisser. There was a Keramos Germany and ansl Austria.
Kiss, Paul
French artist famous for his art deco ornamental ironwork, producing excellent quality items considered by many to be on par with Edgar Brandt. Items were produced in bronze and ironwork and included, radiator covers, console tables, lamps, stair banisters, window grills, and gates – although he specialised more in lighting. His shop was based at 10 Rue des Perichaux, Paris.
Knorlein, Rudolf (1902 – 1988)
Austrian Sculptor and ceramist worked for the Wienner Werkstatte and Gmundner keramik and for Goldscheider. He was famous for his new colours and glazes which played a major design role in the West German Goldscheider range. He also designed wall masks for Goldscheider.
Knox, Archibald (1864 – 1933)
He was born and educated on the Isle of Man. Knox was the most important of the designers, called upon by Arthur Lasenby of the famous London Liberty store. He produced more than 400 designs for the Cymric range as well as some designs for the Tudric pewter range which were inspired by the earlier Cymric wares. His observation of Celtic remains on the Isle of Man were the underlying influence on his choice of decoration. The ornate elements are easily recognized and often incorporated spear-headed entrelac symbols ( a form of interlaced decoration drawn from ancient jewellery). Pieces are often embellished with peacock blue/green enamels and or inset with turquoise, lapis lazulli or similar semi-precious stone cabochons.
Kolzoff, Serge
Born September 1892 in Moscow, studied at Moscow school of fine arts and was winner of its gold medal. Most of his work was realistic, but during the 1920’s his style changed to constructivism.
Konig-Scavini
Italian female ceramics artist. Designed statues and wall masks for the Lenci company.
Lambeaux, Joseph (Jef) Marie Thomas (1852 – 1908)
Belgian artist born in Antwerp in 1852, died 1908 Brussels. Famous as the teacher of Colinet. Jef Lambeaux was born into an artistic family. He learnt sculpting at the Antwerp Academy with Jozef Geefs as his teacher. In Paris he helped J. Beers in his atelier, later he also worked at the atelier of J. Vanaise. Lambeaux took part in many exhibitions, won a gold medal in 1881, and in 1882 was given a scholarship by the city of Antwerp, which he used to travel to Italy. The main theme in his work is the expression of movement, nude figures become more important as time passes. He also made busts and in Italy he found inspiration for making fauns. He designed the Caryatids of the Antwerp City Hall, the famous Brabo-fountain in the same city, as well as many other important monuments. His most important work is The Calvary of the Human Race which in 1899 was placed in the Brussels Jubelpark in a small building designed by the architect Victor Horta.
Lange – Richard, W
German artist worked in bronze and ivory and bronze and designed ceramic statues for the Rosenthal company.
Larche, Raoul-Francois (1860 – 1912)
A renown French sculptor mainly known for top quality bronze female figures, possibly gilded, often naked or sheathed in drapery. He produced a series of well known figures based on the american actress and dancer, Loie Fuller who was regarded as a living embodiment of Art Nouveau.
LARROUX Antonin
French artist born in Toulouse 1859.
LAURENT Blanche
French, born in Paris and exhibited there.
LAURENT G. H.
20th century artist famous for his many bronze animalier sculptures. No further information currently available.
LAURENT Pierre
Born in Montlucon, 1868, a student of Barrias, won several awards.
Lavroff, Georges (1895 – 1991)
was born Georgij Dmitrievic Lavrov in Siberia. He studied painting and medicine at the University of Tomsk. In 1917-20 – he served in the 6th Regiment of the partisans of Azchipov. 1923-1926 – He became a member of the Russian artistes association in Moscow and in 1927-1935 Lavroff was sent to France to promote Soviet Art. This was the start of the famous works we now associate with George Lavroff and for which he is famous, mainly his art deco animal statues.
He worked in several mediums mainly bronze and ceramics. For some time he worked closely in conjunction with Marcel Guillemard and indeed some of Lavroffs statues and other items are marked Guillemard and not Lavroff. He moved back to Russia in 1935. From 1940-1980 Lavroff worked mainly on monumental sculptures and busts of important members of the Soviet society. Displaying his works in many of the important Salons.
In 1982 there was an exhibition which was devoted to his work. In 1984 – George Lavroff became a member of the Republic Socialists of the Soviet Federations of Russia. He died on August the 29th 1991 at the ripe old age of 96 years! Lavroff is famous for the quality of his pieces, and his work is highly sought after by collectors world wide today. Not all Lavroff pieces are signed.
Lea Stein
Lea Stein was born in Paris and married Fernand Steinberger in the 1950s. She was once a designer for Cocoa Chanel. In the 1960s she left Chanel and formed her own jewellery company making unusual and original jewellery items, with the help of her Husband who was a chemist. He created the formula used to create the the laminated celluloid which her jewellery is made of. Prices vary according to whether it is an early or recent piece and its rarity.
Lemoine, Jean
French Art Deco sculptural artist. He used several pseudonyms including Lemo and Melo, and Le Jan (which he used on his ceramic pieces) and Janle and also his full name Jean Lemoine. He designed many statues produced by the Le Verrier foundry including the Don Quixote and his side kick Sancho Panza bookends and Bacchanale which are actually signed Janle. He created the statue and sold it to the Le Verrier foundry. Many statues by Lemoine were created by the Le Verrier foundry.
Le Faguays, Pierre (1892 – 1962)
Pierre Le Faguays was born in Nantes, France and became famous for the originality he gave his dancers, many of which were inspired by the statues of Tanager and sports and theatrical dancers. A genius for the depiction of movement in his statues, he gained a medal of honour for his work in 1927. He used 2 pseudonyms as well as his own name and they were Fayral on his art metal pieces and Pierre Laurel on some of his bronze pieces. Fayral was a family name, his wife was Raymonde Guerbe and many of her non bronze items were also produced by the Le Verrier foundry including the Espana lamp, Reverie and Automne.
Le Faguays was a leading sculptor and his work is frequently praised for its high quality and attention to anatomical accuracy. He also produced designs for Goldscheider in Paris under the ‘La Stele’ label. He worked in several mediums including ivory, bronze, spelter, stone, wood, alabaster and ceramics. He studied with his friend Max Le Verrier and was a good friend of both Marcel Bouraine and Max Le Verrier and indeed the Le Verrier foundry produced many of the Le Faguays statues in art metal. All three had studied together at the Beaux Arts in Geneva and remained life-long friends.
I have been lucky to have purchased the original transfer of ownership documents of the popular figural items – Amazone Aux Javelot, Olympie, Antiope, Jeanesse, Lysis, Message of Love, Verite, Trophee and many others from Le Faguays to Max Le Verrier, all documents signed in ink by Le Faguays and Le Verrier.
Lehmann, Les Neveux de J. Lehmann
A bronze foundry run by two brothers, Jules and Hugo Levy in Paris. Very active in the 1920s and 1930s, the company produced items by Generalli, Kelley, Pina and Le Faguays, exhibiting at many of the Paris Salons and exhibitions during this time.
Le Verrier, Max (1891 – 1973)
Louis Octave Maxime LE VERRIER was born in Neuilly sur Seine on January 29, 1891. His mother was Belgian and his father was a Parisian goldsmith and jeweller in Paris. They divorced when he was 7 years old. Max attended several boarding schools (College de Verneuil sur Avre) and was a brilliant student.
He was interested in drawing and sculpture from a young age and he practiced talents on wooden rulers, which he turned into little houses, churches, and other small items. His father thought that his future lay in farming, therefore he sent Max to study agriculture (St Sever and La Reole) against Max’s wishes.
Max kept alive his liking for sculpture during his spare time. His Father disowned him and Max was left to fend for himself. At the age of 16, he returned to Paris and did odd jobs to escape farm-work and to provide for himself. In 1909 when he was 18, he left for England. As a foreigner, it was very difficult for him to find a job in London but he refused to go back to France and admit defeat, he lived a poor existence. He met a Frenchman named Jameson who bought a plane on credit, and together they opened an aviation school. Max worked on the planes for him and learned to fly and gained his pilots license in 1913.
He was then called up for military service as a pilot.
On May 25th 1915, he was shot down by two German fighter planes during an air battle. His fighter was riddled with bullets, and his engineer was killed behind him. Fortunately, he was not hurt but managed to land behind the enemy lines and was classified as ‘missing in action’. He received the Military Medal posthumously and the Croix de Guerre 1914 – 1918.
Max was sent to a prisoner of war camp in Munster, in Westphalie (German region), where he stayed for 3 years. As he was a pilot and non-commissioned officer, he was not forced to work, and he asked for tools and modelling clay and began sculpting seriously. He made friends with other artists in the camp, such as Bardin, a wood carver. He portrayed friends, and created a statuette of a Russian. From time to time the professional and amateur artists of the camp held an art exhibition.
After serving in the war he studied at the Beaux Arts in Geneva furthering his talent for art work and sculpture. He studied along side the now famous sculptors Pierre Le Faguays and Marcel Bouraine who became his life long friends. He was later to produce many pieces for them at his Atelier in Paris, which he opened in 1919. Here he produced his very first commercial sculpture ‘The Pelican’ which was to be the first of many wonderful pieces of his vast and very versatile collection of statues. His foundry also produced the works of other artists like Fayral and Guerbe (pseudonyms used by Le Faguays), Le Faguays, Derenne and Briand (pseudonyms used by Bouraine), Bouraine, Masson, Charles, Becquerel, Janle, Denis, De Marco, Garcia.
Max Le Verrier appears to have been very particular who he would produce pieces for and their standard of work had to be as high as his own, as all of the Le Verrier foundry items are of exceptional quality and bear a similar stylisation. Statues were produced in different forms and sizes. For example the large ‘Group Atalante’ by Demarco was produced in a large and a smaller version both had a lady and a leaping gazelle on the base. The same De Marco lady was produced on her own without the gazelle, in a large and small size and it was called ‘Atalante’. Many of the statues were produced in two different sizes. Often the same subject would be produced as both a statue and as a lamp. His work was very versatile and showed amazing movement. He won a gold medal from the Salon in 1925, this period was known as his animal period when he produced many lions, panthers, horses, monkeys, squirrels, hippos, dogs and birds. Most of the Le Verrier pieces were produced in the company’s secret formula metal that they called ‘art cast’. It is a grey metal often confused as bronze due to its weight and quality. The moulds were designed by Max Le Verrier himself. Some bronzes were also produced and so were some ceramic and terra-cotta pieces, each sculpture being hand finished. Le Verrier is in my opinion one of the best sculptors of the art deco years. Probably his most famous piece is ‘Clarte’ the nude lady lamp (produced in 1928) which came in 4 sizes – the largest being life sized – each has a different name. As is the case with many artists he may have used as many as 6 different models for each statue to produce what he saw as the perfect woman. In his early years he (along with many other artists) used a pseudonym which was ‘Artus’ this can often be seen on the vulture statues and wall lights. His foundry is famous for the production of very stylish lights, statues, busts, ashtrays, dishes, bookends, car mascots and paper weights. His pieces are of the highest quality and highly collectable, Max Le Verrier was in my opinion a genius and a top artist.
Le Verrier, Jean Paul (1922 – 1996)
Son of Max Le Verrier. He studied drawing and sculpture at the Beaux Arts school in Toulouse from 1939 to 1943 (he received an award ‘Prix de la Peinture’ in 1943), and at the Beaux Arts School in Paris from 1945 to 1949. He was an interior designer for exhibitions and designed French pavilions for international fairs. At the same time he continued painting and sculpting.
He made humorous drawings, created a lot of posters, and after his father’s death, made humorous bronze sculptures, Chat a la boule, Chat guerdon, ashtrays and book-ends.
He carried on with his fathers business after the 2nd world war and continued after Max Le Verrier’s death.
Both Max and Jean Paul was active in the Resistance during the war and Jean Paul created many propaganda posters for the movement and I have several in my collection along with a a plaster panel made by Max of Jean Paul and also an oil of Max by Jean Paul.
Lenci
Italian faience factory based in Turin, founded in 1920 by Ettore Scavini and has wife Elena Konig Scavini. She designed many of the Lenci wall masks.
Leonard, Agathon (1841 – 1923)
A Belgian artist who studied in Lille under the guidance of Eugene Delaplanche. Most of his work was in bronze and ivory in the art nouveau style. His ceramic pieces were produced by Sevres, Gionori, Sesto Florentino and Heubach in Germany. His bronze pieces were produced by Susse Freres
LEONARDI (LEONARDENE CO.)
English Manufacturer of what the firms advertising department called ‘Art Models – Figures designed and modelled in England’. These items were made during the 1920’s and 30s and the owner of the Company was called Leonardi. The Company was based in Elthone Road, Holloway London. They produced a wide range of plaster Art Deco figures, which included Ladies, lady lamps, Bookends, Mirror ladies, Men, Children, Animals and wall masks.
The early lady lamps were mounted on chrome bases, and many or the same figures were put to different uses. You could often get a certain model as a figure and as a lamp. Each Leonardi item was stamped on the back of the base, usually with a registration number, model number and the distinct CL initials which are stamped on top of each other. Each model number was given a name and was available in a selection of different colours, which included Jade, Matt Rose, Pearl, Green Pearl, Metallic, Copper-Green, Green-Gold, and Silver-Blue. Other colours were obtainable by special order. These pieces were made as affordable items for the general public and today are highly sought after and very collectible.
The quality and style of the Leonardi pieces is not the usual poor quality found in your average Deco plaster figures. Even Biba during the 1970s reproduced some of the Leonardi lamps, these ones are of course not stamped.
Leune Studio Glass
The Leune studios were situated in Paris, France and produced lots of art deco items in the 1920’s and 1930’s. The studio director was Auguste Heiligeinstein, and the glass was made by Daum in Nancy or Croismare and supplied to the Leune artisans who hand decorated them. Pieces were of the same period, style and quality as Daum, Muller, Schneider, Degue and Noverdy.
Leune
Hand painted enamel glass items.
Called the Societe des Anonyme des Etablissements, Leune’s glass factory was in Paris, France at 28 Rue du Cardinal Lemoine, established around 1900. During the 1920’s Paul Daum (brother of Jean Louis Daum) worked as the director of this company. In the years 1923-1926 they employed Auguste-Claude Heiligenstein as art designer. The company of Daum Freres & Cie, Verreries de Nancy supplied the unpainted items that were hand decorated after designs by Heiligenstein. The company closed at some time during the early 1930’s. All enamel painted items where signed with Leune. While press-moulded vases have a printed stamp. It is possible that the company also made lamps that were signed Leunox.
Levy, Jules & Hugo (brothers)
This is the Les Neveux de J. Lehman foundry in Paris, it was located at 14 Avenue de lâ Opera. They produced bronzes for – Le Faguays, Genarelli, Kelety, Guiraude Riviere and Pina to name but a few.
Leyritz, Leon Marie de Leyritz
born 7th January 1888 in Paris. Versatile statuary artist worked in many materials including bronze, lead, aluminium, spelter, stone and ceramics. Studies under J P Aube and Mercie. Won Prix Chenavard in 1914. Exhibited at the Paris Salons winning many medals and prizes between 1912 and 1931. Specialising in theatrical decor, he producing many busts and bas-reliefs of theatrical personalities and subjects.
Lindsey B (her surname is Balkwill)
Trained in graphic design at the St Martins School of Art in London. Focusing on 3D form after a fortuitous encounter with John Taylor, who was the principal sculptor to Adel Roostein Mannequins. She was to work with John for ten year, during which time she experimented with technique and materials to evolve a style which evoked enthusiastic critical acclaim. In 1983 with the introduction of a range of decorative ceramic, plaster and resin sculpture, the company of Lindsey B was formed.
The collection was first shown in London and New York, and subsequently exhibited in major cities across Europe and America. Lindsey B reproductions were distributed throughout the world. Alongside her decorative work, Lindsey also developed a line of ornamental figures for use in commercial interiors and display. She also undertook specialised projects in creative advertising and the moving picture and theatrical industries. All originals were sculpted by Lindsey B at her Fulham Studios and decorative finishes were created in collaboration with her design team.
Each Lindsey B piece was individually hand-made and usually signed in the mould. Although the signature is not always easily visible as it is sometimes under the glaze. She made busts, wall plaques, candle sets, vases and other decorative items. Including a life size Garconne (waiter) and Agatha (Waitress) – which are now extremely rare – probably due to their fragility and price. Sculptures include such pieces as:- Ruby, Peking, Rick and Rachel, Luba, Brian, Brunnhilde, Blackpool girls, 3 different sizes of Garcon, Bud, Bonnie, Ted, Agatha, Mantis, Lillah, Tex, Pearl, Irmgard, Flick and Wick, and Rio. Brunnhilde was a bust bust made especially for optical stores – having deep high cheek bones for displaying glasses on.
The early Lindsey B pieces were made from 1984 before ceasing production in 1987 disillusioned with copies of her sculptures by other companies hitting the market. She carried on creating mannequins for other companies and creating other prototypes which did not go into production and is still working today. Her items are extremely collectible today and highly sought after across the world however there are many reproduction pieces on the market. In early 2020 we purchased all remaining stock directly from Lindsey B including many unique designs and prototypes.
Lipchitz, Marcelle (b. 1891)
born 1891, lived in France and exhibited there. Moved to USA in 1941.
LIPCHYTZ, Samuel (Born Salomon Lipszyc) (1880 – 1943).
Born in the Polish provinces of Imperial Russia. He travelled to Berlin and then to Paris to practice his art. He lived in La Ruche the famous artists studio in Montparnasse, where all the vibrant artists of the time hung out. His brother Morice also became a very famous artist and his name was modified to Lipsi. Both brothers worked in ivory and in bronze, but Samuel also produced items made of marble and wood. He was also a furniture maker who inlaid ivory crustaceans into his work.
In 1943 the French police handed him to the Nazis who sent him to Auschwitz where he died.
Lypchytz, Jacques (1981 – 1973)
Born in Druskieniki in 1891, lived in France until 1941 when he fled the country and moved to the USA where he was a very successful sculptor whose genre was predominantly Cubism. Died in Capri, Italy in 1973.
Lorenzl Josef (1892 – 1950)
Josef Lorenzl was an Austrian sculptor and ceramist and one of the most famous sculptors of the Art Deco period. Most of his figures were singular slim female nudes with long legs which conveyed elegance, usually in dancing poses. Some of his figures were used to accompany mirror glass or marble clocks, lamps and also produced as bookends. He also made many figural strikers (lighters) mainly in spelter wall masks and ceramic figures. He used various materials mainly, bronze, spelter, and bronze and ivory. Similar figures were often made in various sizes. He designed many ceramic busts, figurines and wall masks for Friedrich Goldscheider and Keramos. Lorenzl signed his pieces Lorenzl but also used abbreviations of his name, Lor, or Enzl and many pieces were unsigned. His work was very similar to that of Dakon and at one time it was believed that Lorenzl and Dakon were one and the same artist. Lorenzl worked at the bronze foundry in the Vienna Arsenal. Whilst there he made the acquaintance of Stephan Dakon who later became a fellow colleague at Goldscheider in Vienna. It was on Lorenzls recommendation that Dakon was employed by Goldscheider in 1924 as a freelance designer. Lorenzls work is now highly sought after by collectors world wide and his name is known for the quality of the pieces and the designs that he produced. His pieces now command very high prices.
Lormier, Jean – Made several Bronze figures during the Art Nouveau and Art Deco Period. Very little information can be found beyond that.
Lourioux, Louis (1894 – 1930)
Born in France in the Cher in 1894, this talented potter was a contemporary of Lalique and Galle. He worked predominantly in stoneware and was noted for his glazes. His father had encouraged him to work at the porcelain factory of Buchon and Legros and he took over the running of it in 1924. He rapidly developed the company and showed imagination and technical expertise. He worked closely with Aristide Pipet, the sculptors Joe Descomps, Charles Lemanceau and Cormier.
He produced pieces for Galeries Lafayette and Primavera. Some of his pieces were salvaged from the Titanic. He died in an accident whilst driving his convertible Delahaye Grand Sport in Bourges at the young age of 35 and is buried at Foecy, where his tomb, designed by Charles Lemanceau is typical of the period between Art Nouveau and Art Deco in which he lived and worked.
The factory was then run by his wife until 1949. Pieces are marked either with the two wings, each with an ‘L’ – a play on words in French – deux ailes – two wings and two ‘L’s, or with the stamp of a running female wolf. The original Lourioux factory was bought by the Philippe Deshoulieres group, another ceramics designer, and is now run as a museum.
Luce, Jean (1895 – 1964)
A French Art Deco ceramist and glass work designer. Jean first worked in his fathers ceramics company producing table ware. He first showed his own work in 1921at the Musee Galliera in Paris and other salons. In 1923 he opened his own shop.
From 1924 he produced pieces that were heavily sand blasted in mirrored glass with geometric patterning. In 1935 he produced ceramic and glass table ware items for the Normandie ocean liner. These included the large chunky glass deeply sand blasted centre table trays in mirrored glass which are now highly sought after. These items later adopted by Compagnie Generale Transatlantique flor other ships. He taught at the Ecole des Arts Appliques in Parisand was a technical adviser at Sevres.
Ludwik, Peter (1902 – 1983)
Born in Berlin. Painter, theatrical designer, ceramic wall mask artist and sculptor. Interned as a prisoner of war.
Mackintosh, Charles Rennie (1868 – 1928)
Scottish architect and designer who was one of the most influential figures in the development of Art Nouveau and the Modern movement. Much admired on the continent especially by the Viennese Secessionists. Formed the ‘Glasgow Four’, which included Herbert MacNair and the Macdonald sisters. Margaret later married Mac Nair and Mackintosh married Frances.
Magrou, Jean
French sculptural artist worked in the deco years. His father was a lithographer. He studied at the Lycée Henri IV where he worked mainly on mythological bronzes. He married in Paris the niece of the painter Jean-Andre Rixens. Professor of modeling and drawing at the Sorbonne, he participated in 1907 in the teaching cooperative created by Marie Curie. Later in his career he created a few Art Deco studies. Jean Magrou is buried in the Old Cemetery of Béziers.
Majorelle, Louis (Jean Sylvestre Majorelle) (1859 – 1926)
Born on 26th September 1859 he was a French art nouveau furniture maker and designer, in his latter years he also produced a few Art Deco designs – although they are very rare. After 1901 formally served as one of the vice-presidents of the Ecole de Nancy. He used mainly rare and exotic fruit woods often with inlays of tortoiseshell ivory, ebony and metal. His work in wood often resembled a painting. He used different woods to add colour to his pictoral creations on tables and cabinets. Using cherrywood, oak, walnut, ash, holly, beech and pear woods for his monochrome colours. His art nouveau work often bears the organic swirls now recognised as true art nouveau. Most of his pieces were signed with the Majorelle inlay signature which took several different forms. The amazing works of Majorelle are now highly sought after worldwide. He died on the 15th January 1926.
Manship, Paul (b. 1885)
Born 1885 in Minnesota, USA. Studied at Pennsylvania Academy and St Paul Institute. Studied in Rome 1909-1912 and won the Prix de Rome. Exhibited in the USA and France, winning many medals and awards.
Marquet, Rene Paul (1875 – 1939)
He studied sculpture at the Ecole National des beaux arts in Paris under the guidance of Emmanuel Fontaine and Alexandre Falguiere. He worked in bronze and bronze and ivory and most of his pieces were art nouveau.
Martel Brothers (1896 – 1966)
Twins Jan and Joel Martel were born in 1896 in Nantes. They worked during the deco years and beyond until 1965 producing sculptures, monuments, fountains and other decretive Art Deco items with a cubist styling. Also carried out interior designs for top Parisienne villas. They signed their pieces Martel. They participated in many of the Paris exhibitions and salons including the decorative arts exhibition of 1925 where they showed in collaboration with Robert Mallet-Stevens a study known as the cubist trees. in 1926/1927 Mallet-Stevens built a mansion for the two brothers. Jeans wife was a famous painter. Both died in 1966, 6 months apart.
Martin Brothers (1873 – 1942)
The Martin Brothers (Robert Wallace Martin, Charles Douglas Martin, Walter Frazer Martin and Edwin Bruce Martin) created some of the most attractive, as well as most sinister, stonewares to have been made in Britain, personified the Arts & Crafts ideal of the artist-craftsman. In his younger years Wallace (Robert Wallace) worked as a stone carver on the decorations of the Houses of Parliament. It was here that he came into contact with the heraldic beasts & grotesque gargoyles which were to have such an influence on his work in later years. Apart from a few modelled pieces done in terracotta the majority of their pieces were saltglazed stoneware.
Massier, Clement – Ceramics
The Massier company started in 1707 and was handed down through family members. It was famous for its metallic lustre glazes. One of its best known ceramists was Jean Barol (1873 – 1966).
Masson, Jules Edward (b. 1871)
French Statuary artist born Paris 1871. Worked in conjunction with the Max Le Verrier foundry in the late 20’s and early 30’s. Received a medal of honour and several awards, mainly in the 1920’s.
Maxence, Edgard (1871 – 1954)
born in Nantes, 1871, died in La Bernerie-en-Retz, 1954. French Symbolist painter.
He was a pupil of Jules-Elie Delaunay and Gustave Moreau at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris, and helped to popularise Symbolism in the 1890’s by applying a highly finished academic technique to Symbolist subjects. His best-known paintings, which include Girl with a Peacock (before 1896; Paris,) the Soul of the Forest (c. 1897; Nantes,) are decorative, vaguely religious or allegorical images of beautiful women in medieval dress, influenced by early Italian Renaissance and late English Pre-Raphaelite art. Maxence often enriched the surface of his works with gold or silver foil and gilt plaster relief and mounted them in elaborate frames of his own design. He also painted fashionable portraits such as Woman with an Orchid (1900; Paris,) and Impressionist landscapes. Though he participated in the avant-garde Salon de la Rose + Croix between 1895 and 1897, Maxence exhibited successfully at the conservative Salon des Artistes Francais from 1894 to 1939 and frequently served on its committees and juries. Maxence’s work changed little in style and content after the turn of the century and, despite the condemnation of progressive critics, continued to enjoy strong middle-class patronage until the late 1930’s.
Maxim George (Geo)
There is no info on Geo Maxim, although I am very familiar with his work as I have had so many pieces by him. I believe he was a French artist worked mainly during the 1920’s and 30s in France, produced most of his pieces in spelter (white metal) with a few bronzes, terracottas and ceramic pieces. More of a middle market sculptor, he also produced a few earlier Nouveau statues. His designs which were mainly ladies or girls were used to produce figural lamps and clocks as well as groups and statues on their own. Most famous piece was the running lady with two greyhounds.
May, Sybille
English statuary artist who worked in France in the interwar period and definitely from 1925-1935. Her work was very cubist and stylised producing work in bronze and ceramic. She belonged to the La Stele and Evolution groups, often working with Pierre Le Faguays and Edouard Cazaux. The Goldscheider foundry in Paris produced many of her bronzes and ceramic pieces although the publisher Albert Buisson of Editeur d’art also produced her works. Her statues are now highly sought after as they are very modernist in style.
MAYER Nicolas
Born in Paris in mid 19th century, studied under Cordier and exhibited genre and allegorical figures at the Salon des Artistes Francais, attaining an honourable mention in 1887 and becoming an Associate in 1904. His group titled ‘The Dream’ can be seen the Roanne Museum.
Melo, (see Lemoine)
French art Deco sculptural artist – actual name Jean Lemoine. Also I believe worked under the pseudonym Lemo.
Menneville
Until recently it was thought that Menneville was a French artist who produced statues of mainly spelter and ivorine or full spelter. However now – after having discussions with the Lydia Cipriani – daughter of Ugo Cipriani my opinion has now changed. There seems to be a connection between Menneville and Cipriani. In discussions with Lydia I have been informed that her half brothers mothers name was Madelaine Bouchetot de Menneville. I believe it is too much of a coincidence that the Menneville statues are very much in the style of Cipriani’s work. Also I have had signed Menneville’s that Lydia believes are the work of her Father. I know for a fact that many of the works of Cipriani, Menneville (and Rochard) were produced by the Silvin foundry in Paris during the early 1930s. Therefore I conclude it is highly likely that Menneville was a pseudonym used by Ugo Cipriani on his spelter and spelter and Ivorine pieces.
His bronzes and terracottas were usually signed Cipriani and many were unsigned as were many of the spelter statues. Some Menneville signed statues are titled Menneville et Rochard. I now also believe that this was due to a marriage of artists on some of the group statuary pieces, ie. a lady and a dog – where Menneville (Cipriani?) produced the lady of the group and Rochard provided the dog. There are also two other names that occur on some of the ivorine and spelter statues in the style of Menneville/Cipriani and they are Roggia and Deviggo. Were these also pseudonyms used by Cipriani? After all it was a common practice with many of the statuary artists during the deco years to use other names. For instance – Le Faguays used Fayral, Bouraine used Derenne and Briand on their non bronze statues, Le Verrier used Artus and many other artists also used pseudonyms. Please see my information on Cipriani for dates etc. I would like to thank Ugo Cipriani’s daughter, Lydia and son Gabriel for this important information on Menneville/Ugo Cipriani.
Mequinion, Roger (1905 – 1985)
A French ceramics artist who attended the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris during the deco years (20s/30s). He worked for and with Lalique on sandblasting and designs. He later applied this process to ceramic items such as vases. During the 1940s he worked in Aubagne which at this time was an important art ceramic center with many artists and workshops. The most important was Proceram. Whilst there he met the director of Proceram and started to work with this company on a process that was equivalent to the Lalique process, sand blasting but on ceramics. A thick layer of enamel type glass was applied and then using stencils sandblasted back to create shapes and figures similar to those on Lalique pieces.
Milet, Henri (1907 – 1987)
The son of Paul Milet, who like his father spent his working life at the family Porcelain factory in Sevres France. Paul Milet trained as a ceramist and took over the running of the factory in 1931, retiring in1971. An extremely talented ceramist, Milet exported to the USA large quantities of porcelain. He was also an accomplished sculptor. Production was marked MP Sevres prior to Henri taking up post. The mark was subsequently changed to PM Sevres and this has caused some confusion, with much of the production being attributed to Paul Milet. Apparently 30% of the works signed MP are in fact by Henri Milet as well as all works signed PM. This company should not be confused with the Manufacture de Porcelaine de Sevres.
Molins-Balleste, Enrique Henri (1893 – 1958)
Enrique Molins-Balleste was born in Barcelona and later moved to Paris. Molins and Balleste are one and the same artist and he would use either Molins or Balleste to sign his pieces, sometimes signing them BAL. Some same figures are signed Molins whilst the other is signed Balleste. He also used the pseudonym – Gual (his wifes name Gual-Cuberes. Famous for his theatrical and genre groups and figural lighting. Worked in different mediums – shelter, Bronze, Bronze and Ivory, ceramics and wood.
Morante, Maurice
Early 20th century sculptor.
Moreau, August (1834 – 1917)
Born in Dijon, France, he studied under Mathurin Moreau. Auguste Moreau worked as a sculptor and specialised in figures, statuettes and groups, mainly in marble. He made his debut at the 1861 Salon in Paris and continued to play an active part in the Salon des Artistes Francais as a member of the Societe des Artistes Francais until 1910. – worked 1860 – 1910, prolific nouveau spelter and bronze sculptor.
Moreau, Francois Hippolyte (1832 – 1927)
Born France 1832, he studied under Jouffroy in Paris. Exhibited at the Salon from 1863, winning a bronze medal at the Exposition Universelle of 1900. He specialised in Genre groups and figures. worked 19th century into the 20th century. Possibly used the pseudonym Franjou as there appears to be a connection.
Morlon, Alexandre (b. 1878)
Born 1878 in Macon France. He studied under Falguiere and Mercie and Exhibited at the Salon in 1900. He specialised in allegorical figures and is famous for the standing figure of Victory used for the Allied Victory medal (1918). He modelled pieces used for coinage, medals and war memorials. Examples of his work can be found in the Mint Museum, Paris and the Ghent museum.
Morris, William (1834 – 1896)
Morris was one of the founders of the Arts & Crafts Movement and closely involved with the Pre-Raphaelite artists of the mid19th c. His ideal of integrating art, literature and graphic design inspired a generation of artists like Rossetti, Burne-Jones, Millais and Waterhouse to name but a few. Morris was an English poet, writer, designer, artist and socialist reformer. He rejected the opulence of the Victorian era and urged a return to medieval traditions of design, craftsmanship and community. He pioneered modern renderings of antique styles of type as well as the production of high quality home furnishings to last for generations. In 1861, he founded the firm of Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. with Gabriel Rossetti, Burne-Jones, Madox Brown and Philip Webb and in January 1891 He founded the Kelmscott Press.
Muller Freres (c1900 – 1933)
A wonderful glass making firm mainly known for their cameo glasswares, run by the brothers, Henri and Desiree Muller. Based in Luneville, near Nancy and Croismare. The brothers initially worked with Emille Galle.
MULLER, Charles Arthur (b. 1868)
A sculptural artist who studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts Paris and studied under Hector Lemaire. Worked in bronze, bronze and ivory and ceramics.
Namgreb – see Bergman
Nijinsky, Vaslav (or Vatslav) (1890 – 1950)
Russian ballet dancer and choreographer of Polish descent, cited as the greatest male dancer of the early 20th century. He grew to be celebrated for his virtuosity and for the depth and intensity of his characterisations. He could perform en pointe, a rare skill among male dancers at the time and his ability to perform seemingly gravity-defying leaps was legendary. Aged 9 he joined the Imperial Ballet School in St Petersburg, the pre-eminent ballet school in the world. In 1907 he graduated and became a member of the Imperial ballet starting at the rank of coryphee instead of in the corps de ballet, already taking starring roles.
In 1909 he joined the Ballets Russes, a new ballet company started by Sergei Diaghilev which planned to show Russian ballets in Paris, where productions of the quality staged by the Imperial ballet simply did not exist. Nijinsky became the company’s star male dancer, causing an enormous stir amongst audiences whenever he performed, although in ordinary life he appeared unremarkable and even boring to meet. Diaghilev and Nijinsky became lovers, and although Nijinsky had unparalleled ability, it was the publicity and opportunity provided by Diaghilev’s company which made him internationally famous. In 1912 Nijinsky began choreographing his own ballets, including L’apres-midi d’un faune (1912), Jeux (1913), and Till Eulenspiegel (1916). At the premier of Le Sacre du Printemps (1913) fights broke out in the audience between those who loved and hated a totally new style of ballet. Faune frequently caused controversy because of its sexually suggestive final scene. Jeux was originally conceived as a flirtatious interaction between three males, although Diaghilev insisted it be danced by one male and two females.
In 1913 Nijinsky married Hungarian Romola de Pulszky while on tour with the company in South America. She had seen the Ballets Russes perform in 1912 and thereafter ‘stalked’ the company and Nijinsky. Nonetheless, no one was more surprised than she was when Nijinsky asked her to marry him, in broken French since neither was fluent in the same language. The marriage caused an immediate break with Diaghilev, who dismissed Nijinsky from the company. With no alternative employer available, he attempted to form his own company but this was not a success. He was interned in Hungary during World War I under house arrest until 1916, finally being allowed to leave after intervention by Diaghilev, who wanted him to perform in an American tour, and supported by calls for his release from Alfonso XIII of Spain and President Wilson at the urging of Otto Kahn. Nijinsky became increasingly mentally unstable with the stresses of having to manage tours himself and deprived of opportunities to dance, which had always been his total obsession. After a tour of South America in 1917, and due to travel difficulties imposed by the war, the family settled in Switzerland, where his mental condition continued to deteriorate. The rest of his life was spent suffering from mental illness which incapacitated him beyond the ability to dance again in public.
Nannini, Rapheal (1852 – 1925)
Sculptural artist born in Florence Italy and studied at the Academy of fine arts there. Later moved to Paris and produced Art Nouveau and Deco statues which were mainly produced by the Les Neveux, Lehmann and Etling. His Sister Maria Nannini was also a sculptural artist working in Paris during the early 20th century.
Notari, Alexander born Carrara (1899 – 1963)
Born in Tuscany 21 August 1899, Sculptural artist worked in Paris during the art deco years along with other family members including Ulysses Geminiani. He produced statues in bronze, Carrara marble, spelter and terracotta. His most famous piece is probably his spelter cubist Panther. I have this information curtesy of his Grandchild, Jean Notari – thank you.
Noverdy, Jean
French art deco glass ware, worked at Muller Freres in Luneville and later set up his own production company in Dijon.
Odyv
The French company of Odyv produced mainly faience clocks in Vierzon, France, close to Limoges. During the twenties and thirties it produced almost one hundred different models of clocks, signed ODYV, with a very strong Art Deco theme. After the second world war, it was still producing approximately 35 models, intended especially for the Mediterranean markets. Most of these pieces are of plain colour and usually with richly raised gilding or silvering. The company was also well known for its production of stylised craquelier figures and vases. The company name was – ODette Mussiet YVonne Berlot (Vierzon) ODYV being and abbreviation of the full name.
Omerth, Georges
Active between 1895 – 1925 a sculptural pupil of Ernst Carrier Belleuse. He produced items in spelter, bronze, bronze and ivory, terracotta and ceramics
Onu, Aurore
Female Rumanian artist working during the deco years later moved to Paris. Companion to Marcel Bouraine and friend and neighbour of Pierre Le Faguays. She produces many athletic female figures the most famous being Chasing the Hind that was made in several sizes. Worked in Bronze, bronze and ivory. Most of her pieces were produced by the Lehmann and the Etling foundries.
Orbiols
Gustave Orbiols worked 1890 – 1910. Some of his pieces are viewable in the Berman Bronze books.
Ouline, Alexandre
A Belgian artist, worked between 1918 and 1940, in both bronze and spelter. Produced many male and female statues and busts, and really cute looking panthers. He may also have used the pseudonyms – Oudine and Ondine.
Oury, Oury-Cerf (b. 1889)
Born Valenciennes October 1889, winning many awards, the first received in 1921.
Paris, Roland (1894 – 1945)
Born in Vienna to an artistic German family. Trained under Van de Velde. Served in the first world war and then moved to Berlin to train as sculptor. He worked in various materials – lithography, wood, painting, bronze and ivory, bronze, ceramic and spelter. His pieces tend to be comical and satyrical.
Perl, Karl
Born in Liezon Austria on 3 March 1876. He studied under Hellmar, Zumbusch and Kundmann and worked as a sculptor of figures, busts bas-reliefs and medals and medalions in Vienna. Designed wall masks for Goldscheider and Keramos.
Peleschka, Lunard
worked mainly in bronze and ivory in Austria from 1900 – 1930’s, and it is highly possible that this was a pseudonym used by Ferdinand Preiss.
Petty, George (1894 – 1975)
George Petty was a very famous American pin up artist. Son of a photographer ( also George Petty) he lived and studied in Chicago. Studied at the Chicago Art Institute and the Academy Julien in Paris (famous students such as Alfonse Mucha and Matisse). Pettys success was mainly due to his talent in using the airbrush technic of painting. His first work was for the Marshall Field catalogue in the 1920’s. He won first prize for his poster for the Chicago Worlds Fair in 1933. He produced a cartoon for Esquire magazine called the Petty Girl which proved to be very popular and this led to the famous Petty pin up girls and calendars for the same magazine. It seems that Petty became famous almost overnight. He had a falling out with Esquire over money and the commission of pin ups and calendar girls was then taken over by Alberto Varga – known as the Varga girls. He made a return to Esquire with a new calendar in 1955 and produced a famous calendar for Ridge Tools in 1953. He also designed the car mascot for Nash automobiles in 1954 and 1955.
Perzel, Jean (1892 – 1986)
Interior lighting designer and artist who worked in Paris from about 1910 and was famous for his modernist art deco lighting. In 1923 he started to exhibit at salons, including the Salon D’Autumn, the Salon des Artistes Decorateurs and at many special events in and around Paris. Commissioned for many lighting projects including famous monuments including the Cathedral of Luxembourg and the Mulhouse Train Station. His workshop produced numerous models of chandeliers, floor lamps and sconces in modernist styles. The company is still running today.
PEYRE, Rapheal Charles (1872 – 1949)
Born in Paris, studied under Alexandre Falguière, Antonin Mercié and T. Barrau, some of the foremost 19th century sculptors. Exhibited statues and paintings at the Salon des Artistes Francais around the turn of the century, winning an honourable mention in 1894, a third class medal in 1902 and a travelling scholarship in 1903. Famous mainly for his beautiful portrayal of children subjects.
Philippe, Abel
French sculptural artist, working in France during the deco years. Most of his work was produced by the Lehman foundry. Worked mainly in bronze and bronze and ivory. Not to be confused with Paul Philippe who was working at the same time.
Philippe, Paul (1870 – 1930)
Statuary artist – student of Larant and Larroux, his most famous sculpture was ‘Awakening’. Widely exhibited at many of the Paris salons. Many of his pieces were produced by the Goldscheider foundry. Did work with Rosenthal, Goldscheider and Preiss Kessler.
Picaud, Maurice (Pico) (1900 – 1977)
Also signed his name as Maurice Pico or Pico, his real name is Maurice Picaud and he was a French, multi talented architect, designer and painter. He trained at the Ecole Boulle and worked for the Ruhlmann furniture company, and also distinguished himself as a newspaper cartoonist putting his talent to among others, Science and Life, Sports, Auto, Le Matin, etc. Some of his creations, typical of the Art Deco period are visible to all, like the dancing lady facade over the entrance to the Folies Bergeres building in Paris which depicts the dancer Lila Nikolska, who posed for the sculpture, and the murals inside the Hotel de Ville and the Council Chamber of Montdidier (Somme).
I have a separate page with more information about Maurice Picaud and specifically – the Pico Plaques here.
Pillet, Charles Philippe Germain Aristide (1869 – 1960)
Born in Paris, he was pupil to Chaplain and Chapu and received the Grand Prix de Rome in 1890. He exhibited regularly at the Salon of the Societe des Artistes Francais. Famous for producing medals. Pillet exhibited at the Exposition Universelle 1900 in Paris where he was awarded a silver medal. He received a first-class medal in 1905 and the Legion of Honor in 1911. Pillet was awarded a medal of honor in 1923.
Pina, Alfredo (1883 – 1966)
Italian artist worked mainly in bronze, semi abstract styling.
Piron, Eugene Desire (1875 – 1928)
French sculptor born in Dijon in 1875 and committed suicide in Aix-en-Provence in 1928. Exhibited at the Salons, won the Prix de Rome in 1903 and a second class medal in 1907. Studied with Barrias and Coutan. Produced mainly portraits and figures.
Podany, Rudolf (1876 – 1963).
Austrian art deco ceramics artist (ceramist) who produced ceramic statues and wall masks. Podany worked with Goldscheider as a freelance designer. Did many wall mask designs for Keramos Wiener Kunsteramik und Porzelanufaktur company in which he was a partner. In his wall mask series many of the models were designed as Hollywood movie stars such as – Marlene Dietrich and Greta Garbo.
POERTZEL, Herman Hugo Otto (1876 – 1963)
German sculptural artist also signed his name Poertzl. Son of a porcelain designer, Otto also did a 3 year course in porcelain design. Afterwards, he studied at the Art Academy in Munich under Prof. E. Kurz and Adolf von Hildebrandt. Participated in numerous international art exhibitions, e.g. St. Louis World’s Fair (1904) and the International Art Exhibition in Brussels (1910). Worked 1910-1930 and produced many of the larger monuments and some of his earlier works can be found in the German Royal Courts, and a few were purchased by the King of Bulgaria. He specialised in female busts (during 1920’s and 1930’s Poertzel was making busts of the aristocracy in Europe). Died in 1963. Poertzel and Ferdinand Preiss shared a studio in Berlin and at one time it was thought that the two were the same person as their work is very similar, and often confused. An honorary title of Professor was bestowed upon him by German State. His most famous pieces are – The Aristocrats,Snake charmer and Columbine and Harlequin. He worked in bronze, bronze and ivory and ceramics.
Preiss, Ferdinand (1882 – 1943)
Johann Philipp Ferdinand Preiss was born in Erbach (Oderwald) in Germany on the 13th of February 1882. His father owned and ran the local Preiss Hotel, while his mother came from a traditional ivory carving family. When Ferdinand was fifteen years old his father died, the Hotel was sold, and the six children dispersed among relatives and friends. Ferdinand Preiss moved in with the family of Philipp Willmann (1846 – 1910), a master ivory carver and teacher with whom he went through a thorough apprenticeship, emerging as one of the finest ivory carvers of his generation, and he remained in Willmann’s studio until Easter 1901. His movements over the next few years are unknown, but by 1905 he appears to have been working for Carl Haebler in Baden-Baden after a period in Milan; AT the Haebler works he met a number of young carvers from Erbach. One co-worker, Arthur Kassler himself a Berliner went into partnership with him and they moved to Berlin, where they opened a small workshop in which they worked as turners and carvers in ivory. The firm was called Preiss and Kassler. In 1907 Preiss married Margartehe Emma Clara Hilme. I 1910 the firm took on two new carvers. Louis Kuchler and Ludwig Walther and the firm’s name was shortened to PK. The earliest compositional figure by Preiss is a stauette of Phryne carved from three different woods in his son’s collection. His early designs were classically inspired Grecian figures certainly part of the tradition received from Willmann, but also part of the taste for copies from the Antique which were then very popular. Phryne reappeared in bronze and ivory with an onyx or marble base in the company of Aphrodite, Iphigenia, Pomona and others. Another early design was a figure of Carmen. These early figures had the bronze section of the figure cast at the Akt Ges Gladenbeck in Berlin. Robert Kionsek from the Gladdenbeck foundry joined PK and firm gradually expanded, having about half a dozen workers when war broke out in 1914. When the firm restarted in 1920 after the war, Preiss designed a wide variety of figures; exquisitely graceful ivory nudes, bronze and ivory bathers, dancers, couples children and historical figures. Preiss figures are the epitome of grace and elegance, the faces pretty, but with character; the costumes colorful but restrained. His series of Olympians have often been equated with the Nazi ideal by the ignorant. In fact these men and women playing tennis, throwing a javelin, holding an oar, playing golf are just health, outdoors types all date from the nineteen-twenties years before Hitler acquired any power. The Olympic Games that inspired most of these were in France where the Salons had separate and very active sections dealing with the Art of Sport. Preiss most loyal following was in England, and he showed his appreciation by carving a figure of the young Queen Elizabeth (now Elizabeth II). His skill at ivory carving is exemplified in his figure of St. George and the Dragon as well as in his ivory nudes. Preiss died in 1943 of a brain tumor. The PK firm did not survive.
Primavera
Primavera was the design studio of the Parisian department store Printemps. It was established in 1912 by Rene Guillere and his wife Charlotte. The lavish displays seen in Printemps and in several other ‘Grands Magasins’ in Paris at the time, were driven by the need to capitalise on the growing public interest in contemporary design. Guillere was an Arts Administrator and President of the Society of Artists/Decorators. His wife was a furniture designer. He was the perfect choice to develop this new business. He sourced artists from all over France to discover new talent. He commissioned established designers to create a range of objects for the discerning interior, from Furniture and Bronzes to Ceramics and Glass. Lallemant, Adnet, Marcel Guillemard and Colette Gueden were among those who produced work for the studio. Objects were produced at factories such as Saint Radegonde and Longwy.
Prischl Adolf (1912 – 1970)
Austrian Sculptor and ceramist. After training at the Viennese Kunstgewerbeschule under Robert Obsieger, he made models for Goldscheider and Keramos Wiener Kunstkeramik as a freelance sculptor. From 1943 to 1946 he was employed by Keramos. After passing his masters exams he establishes his own workshop in Vienna in1947.
Privat
Gilbert Privat born in Toulouse France in 1892. Sculpture of many Monuments in France. Exhibited figures at the Salon des Artistes since 1921. Won the Prix de Rome in 1921.
Prost, Maurice (1894 – 1967)
Born in Paris, an extremely talented artist and sculptor, he specialised in animal figures and groups. Studied under the sculptor Leopold Maurice. An amazing man who lost his arm in the first month of the 1914 war when he was shot and gangrene set in and consequently lost his arm. Previously he had been a jewellery engraver. He did not let his disability effect his work. Most of his work was carried out between 1919 – 1945. Opened his own workshop in 1920 and the following year exhibited at most of the famous Paris salons. In 1926 he started working on monuments around France and he exhibited at Salon des Artistes Francais, and was awarded the Legion d’Honneur in 1933. Throughout his life he won many medals of honour which included in 1947 Vermeil Medal of the City of Paris (Arts Sciences Lettres). In 1957 He was made an officer of the Legion of Honour under Arts. In 1963 – Gold medal Exhibition of French Artists and in 1966 Medal of Honour at the Salon de automne.
Rab, Pol (Paul Abraham) (1898 – 1933)
French artist and cartoonist. Before his untimely death at the age of 35 at Barbizon, he was elected president of the mois de 30 ans, an artistic society for artists under the age of thirty. He was an extremely talented artist and humorous illustrator who created the famous Ric and Rac terriers cartoon series. Many deco items were produced with the Ric and Rac theme – desk sets, cocktail sticks, cigarette cases, bookends, photo frames, brooches, ashtrays, advertising ornaments for Lux hoovers and even a boot polish. Pol Rab also created Nenufar which was an African themed cartoon. Paul Brach in 1934, said of him that “all that he did, he did well and with verve. He was a great friend of Jean Cocteau. He also did designs for theatrical magazines and programmes, bars and restaurants menus. Which were always very comical and Ric and Rac was very saucy. I have many brooches of Ric and Rac on my site, along with original period pochoir pictures. Even Lea Stein produced a brooch of Ric the terrier. The photograph of Pol (above), is an original signed photo with Ric and Rac.
Rabier, Benjamin (1864 – 1939)
French sculptor, worked during the deco years and famous for his comical animal designs. He created tableware including cocktail sets, knife rests, cruets, desk-sets and figural items mainly in spelter but also some ceramics.
Real Del Sarte, Maxime (1888 – 1954)
Born Paris may 2nd 1888 and he died there in 1954. Won the Grand Prix Nationale in 1921, specialised in monuments and memorials in the 1920’s. He won medals at the Salon des Artistes Francais in 1920 and 1927 and the Legion of Honneur in 1940. Also famous for a bust of Queen Victoria, and the monument of Joan of Arc at Rouen, and genre and lyrical groups like The Man and his Dream.
Renard, Marcel Claude (b. 1893)
Born in Lyon, 5th August 1893. Son and pupil of Leopold Renard and also with Rost and Boucher. He exhibited at the Salon des Artists Francais, and the Salon des Artistes Decorateurs and won 2nd and 1st class medals in 1925 and 1934 respectively. He specialised mainly in bronze medals, plaques and bas-reliefs.
Rey, Henri-Paul (1904 – 1981)
Henri-Paul Rey was born in Pesmes, France and was a sculptor who worked in stone and wood. He also created a large number of ceramic works. Rey studied at l’Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Besancon (1925-1927) under Georges Laithier and Leon Tirode, and studied under Bouchard, Injalbert, and de Villiers at l’Ecole National Superieure des Beaux-Arts (1927-1933) where he learned the valuable techniques that would characterize his original works. Rey knew how to impose his own style right away in his sculptures without years of experience or outside influences. Rey’s work, both bold and aesthetically pleasing, was already appreciated before the war. He exhibited a base relief wood sculpture in the 1937 Paris l’Exposition Internationale at the pavilion de Franche Comte and a similar ‘Tree of Peace’ in the 1939 Exposition in New York. Rey also exhibited regularly in the Salon des Artistes Francais de Paris where he received a gold medal (1937) silver medal (1933) and bronze medal (1932). He was also a member of the jury of the Salon des Arts Decoratifs. His works can be found in museums in France, United States, Canada, and Poland as well as other international institutions. Rey was a second-generation Cubist. He created works based on music and dance, including some monumental woodcarvings. He worked from stone, but found carving from wood to be more synergistic to complement his emphasis on form and volume. He worked meticulously with thoughtful execution and exuded a certain powerful maternal tenderness in his rounded totems carved from tree trunks. His work expresses emotion and sensibility that is emphasized in the miracle of old wood, brought to life by art. Like many of the earlier Cubists, he incorporated African imagery in his spectacular sculptures. Although Rey’s work can be found internationally, his predilection remains in his home region where we can find monuments such as Saint Ferreol and Saint Ferjeux in the crypt of the Basilique of Monseigneur Dubourg, of Louis Pergaud in Marcheville or the Virgin of Buis in Besancon where the monumental sculpture (7 meters high) integrates religious art at such a splendid site, dominating the town! The magnificent Church of Pesmes, also rich with Rey’s works, also has Saint Hilaire sculpture. Rey is also noted for making busts and medallions of famous writers, painters, Ecclesiastes, politicians, and scientists including Louis Lumiere, Edouard Belin, Louis Guignard, President Jules Grevy, Pontelin, and Cardinal Binet. Rey was also awarded the international prize of Sculpture and was elected a member correspondent (and received a gold medal) of the Academy of Letters and Sciences and Arts of Besancon in 1971. His work was acquired by numerous museums including the Musee de Paris, Dijon, Besancon Poutailier, and Arles.
Rezl, Bohumi (b. 1899)
Born on 17th September 1899 in Czechoslovakia, arrived in Paris in 1926. He settled in Villenauxe (French department of Aube), and worked in the faience factory until 1951. He created ceramic and terracotta figures and clocks often signed B. Rezl. Some of his 1930’s items are on view in Museums in Brussels.
Riboulet, Eugene (1883 – 1972)
French Art Deco artist who produced artwork, and statuary pieces in bisque, metal and ceramics.
Riche, Louis (1877 – 1949)
Born 1877 in Paris France, died 1949. He studied under Gordet and Perrin, and exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Francais and the Salondis Independonts. He got a first class medal in 1924 and specialised in animalier and genre groups. Valence Museum exhibits his bronze of a cat waylaying a butterfly.
Right, G (1905 – 1999)
French sculptural artist working during the deco years producing pieces in bronze and bronze and ivory.
Rigual, Pedro Ramon Jose (1863 – 1917)
born Barcelona, March 19th 1863 of french parents, Francois Rigual and Gertrude Miro. Died April 24th 1917 in Paris where he lived all his life.
Riviere, Guiraud (1881 – 1947)
Maurice Giraud Riviere, born in Toulouse France. became a member of the Salon where he exhibited his works during the 1920’s and 1930’s. At the ager of 15 he was a sailor and at 20 he became and actor. His statuary career started in Paris when he studied at the Paris Ecole Nationale beaux arts where he studied under Antonin Mercie. He exhibited at the Salon of the SAF during the 1920s and 30s. He worked in many mediums, producing paintings and drawings for magazines at that time. His bronzes and bronze and ivory pieces were produced by Etling et Cie, Les Nevaux e J. Lehmann and Adnre Fau. His ceramic pieces were produced by Sevre and he also designed comical pieces for the Robj company. He sold several pieces to the French State for the City of Paris in 1926. This included Enigma, one of his most famous pieces. Other famous pieces which were produced in various sizes were – thoughts, Stella, Nordica and Etoiles.
Rivoire, Raymond Leon (1884 – 1966)
French Art Deco sculptural artist. His most famous statue was ‘Elegante au Levrier’ (see pictures). This same state was made in several sizes and a life size version could be seen in the Grand Salon of the Atlantique ocean liner. Most of his statues were produced by the Susse Freres foundry, Paris.
Rivoire was a student of Injalbert at the Beaux-Arts in Paris and exhibited at the Salon of French artists in 1905. He received a silver medal in 1921 and gold in 1929. He exhibited in France, London, Rome and Buenos Aires.
He also worked on the art competitions at the 1924 Summer Olympics and the 1928 Summer Olympics.
The gold medal won at the salon of 1929 lead to his most important commission and a milestone of the Art Deco era, the colossal marine group ‘The God Neptune drawn by a sea horse’, for the luxurious and stylish French ocean liner SS Normandie launched in 1932. This sculpture was itself a pendant to his work ‘The Goddess Artemis and her greyhound’ commissioned for an earlier French Art Deco ship SS Transatlantique launched in 1925 which was subsequently reproduced as scale editions in bronze in the late 1920s.
He made a bronze for the Normandie liner representing Neptune pulled by a marine horse destroyed in the fire of the ship in New York in 1942 during a refit, a second copy of which survives to the present day as a centrepiece of the fountain adjacent to the Reynaldo Hahn Square in the gardens of the Croisette in Cannes.
Another of his major works is Diana and the Greyhound, also known as Artemis. Like Normandy, a monumental copy of this statue was enthroned in the living room of the ocean liner L’Atlantique. Scattered memories of the work were found during the demolition that followed this fire.
He was appointed knight of the Legion of Honour in 1932 and decorated in 1933 by Jean Gautier of the National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts. At the end of his life, he was a boarder at Ris-Orangis, the artists’ retirement home founded by Dranem (Armand Ménard).
Robj
In 1908 Jean Born formed the company of Robj, its main interest was electrical items. In 1916 the company started to produce unusual ceramic items. Jean Born died in a car accident in 1922. and the management of the company was taken over by a shareholder – Lucien Willmetz. With the help of many sculptors and technicians Willmetz was the person responsible for the promotion of Robjs unusual and innovative form. The Robj pieces typified the 1920’s ‘style’ and trend and so were immediately successful. In 1928 the company started production of there most successful line – the liquer decanter bottles known as ‘Flacons Liquers’. Which were modelled as Guradsmen, Napolean, Monks, a black moma, teachers and ladies. The following year the company then produced similar tobacco pots. Several other ceramics companies were used to produce the Robj pieces and these included – Manufacture de Sèvres, Villeroy & Boch in Luxemburg, several factories in Limoges and a decoration workshop with a muffle furnace in Boulogne-sur-Seine. Today the company of Villeroy & Boch are reproducing the deco Robj pieces but the quality is not the same as the original pieces.
Rochard, Irenee (1906 – 1984)
Born on January 16th 1906 in Villefranche-sur-Saone (Rhone). She died in Paris 1984. French Sculptural artist worked during the Deco years, famous for her wonderful animalier sculptures, although she did make a few female statues too. Worked mainly in spelter or spelter and ivorene, but also made bronzes. She was a student in the Beaux-Arts and Arts-Deco Schools from 1924 to 1928 and member of the French Artists Society from 1938 onwards. she received her first award when she was just 22 years old and had just left art school, for a full sized Panther statue. She won numerous Prizes and Distinctions from the French Artists Society in the 1930’s and ’40s, including a bronze medal in 1941. Also some connection with Menneville. (See Menneville for more details). Her work was exceptional and is now becoming highly sought after.
Roggia
See Menneville
Rosenthal, Rena
There is not much information about Rena Rosenthal. Many very stylised bronzes are marked RR with the first R in reverse which is the symbol for her pieces. She was not in fact an artist but a shop retailer, who ran a stylish shop in the Waldorf Astoria Building in New York during the 1940s and 50s. She specialised in gift type designer items by Austrian artists like Hagenuer and had certain items created solely for he, putting her name to them. Some of the artists whose items she used were Bosse, and Baller and also Hagenauer made some items exclusively for her. Some of these pieces are marked with both RR and Hagenauer.
Rosenthal, Philip (1855 – 1937)
Opened in Selb, Germany in 1869, by Philip Rosenthal, opened an art section in 1910 and employed over 80 designers, decorators and sculptors, including Gustaf Oppel, Karl Himmeltoss, Constantine Holzer-Defante, Ferdinand Liebermann, Franz Caasmann, Theo Karner, Philip Rosenthal and his son Philip (1916 – ). Won numerous medals and honours, notably the Gold Medal for its stunning quality porcelain at the Paris World Fair at the beginning of the 20th Century. Continued making exciting and quality ceramic items until being taken over in 1997 by Hutschenreuther AG, but is still producing quality ceramics under the name Hutschenreuther (Rosenthal Group), in Selb and Speichersdorf.
Roux, Constance (1865 – 1929)
Born in Marseilles and studied under Cavelier & Barrias. Produced busts and historical portraits of Frenchmen. He was awarded numerous medals and awards and exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Francais.
Rozet, Fanny (1881 – 9th March 1958)
Born in Paris on June 13th 1881. She she was a French sculptor and produced items in bronze and ceramic.
Fanny Rozet was a member of the Union of Women Painters and Sculptors. That union had to ask for women’s access to the École des beaux-arts (school of fine arts) de Paris, which was reserved only for male artists at the time.
She was the first female sculptor to be accepted into the School in 1896. There she became a student of the sculptor Laurent Marqueste. Marqueste served as a witness to the marriage of Fanny and Albert Philippe in 1916.
Her entrance in the competition for the award of the Prix de Rome in 1905 as a woman did not go beyond a “preparatory examination”.
From 1904, the artist exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Français in Paris. That same year, she received an honorable mention and in 1923 another honorable mention. In 1924 she received a bronze medal, and in 1926, a silver medal for the applied arts.
Sabino
French glass company – makers of architectural lighting and objets d’art during the 1920’s/30s, whos shop was at 17 Rue St Gilles, Paris.
Sandoz, Edward Marcel (1881 – 1971)
Along with Francois Pompon and Rembrandt Bugatti, Swiss born Edouard-Marcel Sandoz was one of the leading animal sculptors of the 20th Century.
After studying Chemistry in Geneva, he moved to Paris to study at the prestigious Ecole des Beaux-Arts. His work focused on both human and animal forms in bronze and stone. All of his sculptures are characterised by a geometric form which is strongly influenced by both the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles.
Sandoz bronzes are increasingly collectable today, commanding premium prices. He is also well known for his design work for the Haviland porcelain company in Limoges, France, which resulted in many distinctive porcelain objects in the form of animals. Source – Tikiri Wanduragala.
Sandoz is one of the most famous animalier artists of the Deco period along with Pompon, Kelety, Laurent, Moreau and Le Verrier. He also produced portraits, monuments, terracotta’s and ceramic items. His animals frequently have a humorous and stylised quality and have been likened to the famous animals by Marcel Bouraine. Many items are very small and all work by Sandoz is now highly acclaimed and sought after.
Scarpa – Ricardo (1905 – 1999)
of Italian descent. Famous sculpture and medalist working in mainly terracotta animal studies. Very much in the pompon cubist style. Student of Loto and Carlo Lorenzetti at the Royal Academy of Venice. He arrived in Paris in 1928. He received a gold medal for all of his works in 1974 at the Salon du Grand Palais, France. Present in many French and Italian museums. He also worked in conjunction with the Le Verrier foundry on several of his pieces.
Schlevogt, Henry (1904 – 1984)
Famous Czech Art Deco glass maker, Schlevogt was the only son of Curt Schlevogt who was a Jewish jewellery artist working in the 1920s. Henry produced Art Deco intaglio items like vases and boxes. Often working in conjunction with his Father-in-law – Heinrich Hoffman. After the death of Schlevogts wife (the daughter of Hoffman) the 2 artist joined orcas and produced highly coloured malachite and lapis lazuli glass items and rare coloured glass. This line was called the Ingrid line, named after Schlevogts daughter.
Based in Paris in the 1950s, Henry Schlevogt opened a wholesale trade in crystals and glassware on rue de Paradis, as producer and as exclusive distributor of Val d’Andelle glassworks. He made a fortune with this and sold this business in 1972. He died in Paris in 1984.
Heinrich Hoffmann (1875 – 1939) and Henry Schlevogt (1904 – 1984) are relatives thanks to the marriage of the latter to the daughter of Hoffman, both artists, established in Gablonz in North Bohemia, can hardly be considered separately, because they worked in continuity, sometimes with the same design molds, which were all exclusively pressed by the powerful family glassworks of Josef Riedel established in Polaun (Polubný).
Production ceased with the occupation of the Sudetenland by Nazi Germany in 1938, soon followed by the invasion of the rest of the country (Czech republic) and foreshadowing the general conflagration of the continent, and was a part of the tragic backdrop due the chain of personal events that awaited him.
Schneider, Charles (b. 1881)
Born in Chateau-Thierry, near Paris, on 23rd February 1881. At an early age he moved with his family to Nancy, the artistic centre of France, where he later studied at ‘L’Ecole des Beaux Arts’. He was a talented student and he used his abilities to engrave medals using his own designs. After his military service, from 1901 to 1902, he specialised in the art of glass and stone sculpture.
His brother, Ernest Schneider, started working for Daum in 1903, where he was an important designer. Two years later Charles joined the factory as a self-employed designer while continuing his studies in Paris. In 1909, the brothers decided to start their own business and bought a small glass factory, specialising in electric light bulbs, in association with a friend Henri Wolf, at Epinay-sur-Seine. This factory was known as ‘Schneider Freres et Wolf’ and it operated until 1914, when the brothers joined the army; the factory appears to have been closed until they were demobbed in 1917. The factory re-opened in 1917 under the new name of ‘Societe Anonym des Verreries Schneider’. At this time, public taste still favored the Art Nouveau style, and the factory produced mainly cameo glass with floral and animal designs, and vases with applied handles and bubbles. Apart from the introduction of art glass, half of the production was of commercial drinking glasses.
In 1918, fire destroyed the studios at Galle and a group of artists went to Schneider’s to continue their production for Galle. This period was of great importance to Charles Schneider because he acquired the technique of ‘marqueterie de verre’ from Galle’s artists. This technique, similar to marquetry in wood, is where the design is carved out of a vase and filled with coloured glass. By 1920, the factory was working at full capacity making mainly art glass. In 1921, Schneider started new trade marks for his cameo glass, signing it ‘Le Verre Francais’ or ‘Charder’. Sometimes a vase or lamp would bear both signatures. The idea was to popularise art glass and make it more accessible to the public. Le Verre Francais was mainly sold at department stores like Gallery Lafayette, Le Printemps and Le Bon Marche. Pieces signed Schneider were sold by specialist art shops such as Delvaux, Rouard, La Vase Etrusque and Le Grand Dep’t.
Le Verre Francais was made exclusively using the technique of acid etching, which gave good quality at a low price. The technique of wheel engraving through different layers of glass was used only for special pieces. In 1924, the Schneiders moved to a bigger factory with more modern furnaces, employing more people, and they changed the name again to Verrerie Schneider. After the 1925 exhibition, various new designs were created and the factory expanded to employ about 500 workers. Blank glass was also supplied to art shops (Delvaux etc.) to be decorated (enameled, painted etc.) by their own artists, and commissions were received from perfumery companies like Coty. At this time, the company was at its peak due to the good designs of the previous years, such as the new style created in 1920 using new shapes and contrasting colours by applying black foot and handles to brightly colored vases and coupes, thus giving them a dramatic effect. Always innovative, Schneider created a new technique of ‘coloured powders’ whereby the pulverised glass was mixed with metal oxides to obtain different colors and then spread on a flat surface.
The glass blower would roll a gather of glass on the desired colour, which would melt and adhere to it; he would then blow it a little and repeat with different colours as many times as necessary to obtain the desired colour layers. It was then blown into a mould to give the final shape of vase, which would then be acid etched or wheel engraved, making the contrasting colours visible. Finally, the vase was polished in selected areas of the design to give a contrast of shiny and frosty surfaces. Typical designs were clear bubble or crackled glass between upper and lower bands of art deco motifs in overlay. Many of Schneider’s art vases and lamps were exported to America. After the Wall Street crash of 1929 demand dwindled and the factory started to decline. During the 1930’s production of art glass was down to a few pieces a day as they concentrated on making simple designs with less colours for the local market. In 1940, during the war, the factory was requisitioned by the German troops and used as a restaurant. After 1945, Charles Schneider and his son started working for a firm that specialised in enamels, called Soyer. In 1949, they opened a new factory called ‘Schneider’ but most of the designs were the creations of the son, using only crystal and clear glass. Up until Charles Schneider’s death in 1953, only crystal was produced until the factory was closed in 1981. Charles Schneider signed his glass on four different ways . . .
* Schneider
* Charder ( Charles Schneider )
* Le Verre Francais
* A little piece of wool ( candy cane ) in the colors red, blue and white, these were the French colors of freedom and were only used for one year in 1918.
Sega
Again, no information. I believe this artist was French, or certainly worked in France, produced many figural items including lamps and clocks. Worked mainly in spelter and made many pieces using celluloid materials as covering for wooden bases and clock surrounds, with faux tortoishell and pearlised finishes. Used a lot of classical subjects – Pan, Pannette and Diane the Huntress.
Seger, Ernst (1868 – 1940)
Born in Neurode, Silesia, he studied under Christian Behrens and worked in Berlin, specialising in memorials, portrait busts and classical groups with a penchant for unusual subjects. His works include genre figures of wrestlers, nudes and dancers.
Seifert, Victor Prof. (1870 – 1953)
Seifert was born in Vienna in 1870 and worked in Berlin for most of his career, he participated in the Grosse Berliner Kunstausstellung or Munchener Glaspalast exhibitions. His statues were produced by top German Foundries such as Ges. V Gladenbeck Sonh. He carried out several commissions and created several monuments for the city of Berlin. He is a well listed artist with many of his works shown in the Berman book of Bronzes. One of his most famous statues is Trinkende (Thirsty), a delicate female nude bather, but he is better know for his military statues. His work is considered on par with artist as Villanis and Barrias. Many of his statues can be found in the Schiffer book of Bronzes.
Siegel, Paris
The Siegel shop fittings company supplied most of the Parisian stores with their mannequins during the deco years of the 1920s – 1930s.They also produced shop signs and modernist mannequins designed by Rene Herst. The company also worked with the Parisian company of Stockman who produced mainly tailors dummies. V.N. Siegel of Siegel and Stockman, Paris, established in 1867, experimented with articulated legs, arms and wooden hands with bendable digits in an effort to more closely mimic human activities and later in 1925 startled the display industry with modern abstract mannequins closely following the Art Deco style. The company are still in operation today.
Silvin
Paris foundry producing art deco statues in bronze and spelter (regule) or Des bronzes and Fontes d’art as they say on the front of their foundry catalogue. The foundry was called Silvin and was at 2 Rue des Arquebusiers Paris.
Simonet Frères (1919-1970)
Charles and Albert Simonet, active between 1919-1939. In 1919 they took over a foundry that specialised in gilt bronze works for candelabra, lamps and bases for lamps. They modernised the boundary and concentrated mainly on lamps in the art deco style. Albert Simonet was the bronze specialist and soon collaborated with Henri Dieupart and together they designed lamps, vases and clocks, often with geometric motifs or stylised floral motifs.
Sinko, Armand,
Sculptor and painter worked during the deco years. Italian Mother and Hungarian Father. Worked his skills at a young age and entered the Ecole des Arts Decoratifs when he was only 14 years old. After a few years he then went to Paris where he worked in the studio of Maurice Brianchon at the Ecole Nationale des Beaux Arts Superieure. At the age of 21 he won the Grand Prix of the Mediterranean and the first Grand Prix of Rome. He went to Rome in February 1956 to become a resident at the Academy of France, residing at the Villa Medici until April 1959. From 1950 to 1960 participated in exhibitions in Venice. He became an art teacher in high school French in Rome until 1968. Later he moved to southern France, in Grasse, where he was born.
Skeaping, John Rattenbury (b. 1901)
Born the son of a painter, Kenneth Skeeping, in 1901. His artistic career took him through several art colleges ending with scholarships at the Royal Academy schools. He won the Prix de Rome in 1924 where he went to study marble carving. In the early 1920’s he married the famous sculptress. Barbara (Skeaping) who is best known for her minimalist, organic forms in wood, stone and other media and her home and studio in St.Ives, Cornwall, England has been preserved as a site of public interest. Barbara was to have a profound influence on Skeaping who’s work gradually became more stylised and simple. He returned to England in 1926 and was introduced to Frank Wedgwood by Felton Wreford (manager of the Wedgwood showrooms in London who also introduced Keith Murray to Wedgwood a few years later). With the revival of figure making and the need for fresh ideas, Wedgwood commissioned Skeaping to produce a series of animal figures. A total of fourteen figures were designed, the first of these being a Deer.
Schmidt-Kassel, Gustav (1867 – 1954)
German statuary artist studied in Berlin, Italy Paris and Russia. Worked mainly in bronze and bronze and ivory. His pieces were produced by Preiss-Kassler and by Rosenthal.
Stickley, Gustav (1847 – 1942)
An American furniture designer. He opened a factory in New York producing furniture made by the traditional construction methods with an Arts and Crafts feel, notably his range of ‘Craftsman furniture’. The Stickley name is associated with plain furniture in solid mainly American white oak, often described as ‘mission style’ because of its similarity to pieces found in 19thC American mission churches.
Subes, Raymond (1871 – 1970)
French wrought iron artist working during the deco years. His work is considered as on par with Edgar Brandt. At the Exposition of Decorative Arts in 1925, he worked for several of the pavilions, most famous for Ruhlmann’s ‘Hotel du Collectionneur’ (Hotel of the Collector) salon. He is also famous for the works carried out for the large ocean liners of the time – The Ile de France in 1927, The Atlantic in 1932, The Normandy in the mid 1930s and The Liberty in the 1950s. He also produce large works for banks and shops and smaller items such as window panels, doors, staircases, table lamps and ceiling lamps.
Sudre
French artist producing 2-dimensional novelty items, usually in chrome. Cigarette dispensers, statues, cocktail stick sets, all with a cute comical theme similar to Benjamin Rabier pieces. Some of the Sudre pieces are also marked Cado which I believe was the company who produced them. Similar 2 dimensional items are sometimes signed Pizette and Brette. However these could of course have been pseudonyms used by Sudre as many artists around this time used pseudonyms.
Sue et Mare
Louis Sue and Andre Mare, both originally painters and Sue was also an architect, founded the firm La Compagnie des Arts Francais in 1919. They collaborated to produce high quality are deco items and many of their designs were inspired by cubism. They exhibited at many of the Paris Salons. The pair worked on many interior design projects as well as creating individual, stylish furniture items, clocks, lighting and an assortment of other interior accessories. The company was sold to the galleries Lafayette department store in 1928 and Sue and Mare left the company due to creative disagreements with Jacques Adnet. Items created by Sue et Mare and now highly sought after and command extremely high prices.
Louis Sue (1875 – 1968)
The lack of a design or craft training led both Sue and Andre Mare to be grouped with the Coloristes in Paris before the First World War. Mare was involved with Duchamp Villon’s Maison Cubiste in 1912, while Sue worked with Poiret until the founding of La Maison Martine in 1912. In the same year, Sue set up his own decorating firm, L’atelier Francais, and began his association with Mare in 1914. This association became a partnership in 1919 with the foundation of La Compagnie des Arts Francais which lasted until 1928. Sue et Mare worked across the spectrum of the decorative arts from wallpapers to furniture. Their furniture used exotic woods and was clearly inspired by traditional French styles. At the 1925 Paris Exposition their pavilion, Un Musee d’Art Contemporian, rivalled Ruhlmann’s and the firm also exhibited furniture in the Ambassade Francaise and the Perfums d’Orsay boutique among other pavilions. The partnership ended in 1928 and Sue continued work in France throughout the 1930’s. Sue lived in Istanbul and taught fine arts there. He was made a Chevalier of the legion d’honneur in 1925.
Andre Mare (1887 – 1932)
Andre Mare was an artist, and studied at the Academie Julian. Louis Sue also trained as a painter, but turned to interior design as early as 1905. This lack of a design or craft training led both Sue and Mare to be grouped with the Coloristes in Paris before the First World War. Mare was involved with Duchamp Villon’s Maison Cubiste in 1912, while Sue worked with Poiret until the founding of La Maison Martine in 1912. In the same year, Sue set up his own decorating firm, L’atelier Francais, and began his association with Mare in 1914. This association became a partnership in 1919 with the foundation of La Compagnie des Arts Francais which lasted until 1928. Sue et Mare worked across the spectrum of the decorative arts from wallpapers to furniture. Their furniture used exotic woods and was clearly inspired by traditional French styles. At the 1925 Paris Exposition their pavilion, Un Musee d’Art Contemporian, rivalled Ruhlmann’s and the firm also exhibited furniture in the Ambassade Francaise and the Perfums d’Orsay boutique among other pavilions. The partnership ended in 1928 and Mare went back to his original painting pursuits and he died in 1932 from Tuberculosis due to the lasting effects of mustard gas poisoning. Mare made a Chevalier of the legion d’honneur in 1926.
Tedd
I believe Tedd was a small French Atelier who mass produced the cheaper spelter animal figures, which they probably supplied to other workshops to be used in figural groups along with ladies by the other foundries. They also produced some figural lamps and clocks themselves.
Tereszczuk, Peter (1875 – 1963)
Ukrainian sculptural artist, worked in Vienna. Produces statues, inkwells, table lamps and other items in bronze, bronze and ivory and also in glass.
Thenot, Maurice Rene (1893 – 1963)
Mainly famous for his medals and engravings. He was pupil to master engraver Patey. He won the gold medal at the Annual Competition for Young Workers in Paris in 1912. In 1920, he was accepted as apprentice at Arthus Bertrand, one of the leading manufacturers of medals in France. In 1921, he won the Grand Prize of Rome, studied at Villa Medici in Italy. In 1925, Thenot was awarded a silver medal at the International Exposition of Decorative Arts in Paris. From 1927-1935, he lived in Africa. In 1937 he was awarded a gold Medal at the International Exposition of Arts and Techniques in Paris. That same year he was selected for the position of Chief Engraver of the Casa de Moneda where he worked from 1937 to 1958.
Thomasch, Wilhelm
The company of Thomasch was formed in 1926. After training as a sculptor at Viennese schools of art he became works manager for Goldscheider and designed some very important figures. He left in 1926 and formed his own company.
Traverse, Pierre (1892 – 1979)
Born 1st April 1892 in St. Andre de Cubzac, Dordogne, France. Pierre was one of 7 children (4 sisters and 2 brothers) and by 1908 had produced his first known sculpture “Le Chien” (The Dog).
Pierre enlisted in Bergerac ahead of his call and served as an Infantry lieutenant during the 1st world war but was seriously wounded in 1916 at the Battle of Mesnil.
In 1919 Pierre married Valentine Foulon and they had 2 children.
Pierre then studied under Jean-Antoine Injalbert (1845 – 1933), and exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Francais of which he was an Hors-Concours member, the Salon d’Automne and the Salon des Artistes Decorateurs.
He received a silver medal in 1921, a gold medal in 1926 and a diploma of honour in 1937 at the Exposition Internationale in Paris. He was also awarded a Medal of Honour in 1942 and was decorated with the Legion d’Honneur in 1938.
Pierre’s work can be found in the Musee du Petit Palais in Paris and other fine collections held internationally today. He was a sculptor who worked primarily in bronze, stone, and white marble. One of his most well known art deco statues is his Diane and Deer statue named L’Atalante (Left).
Pierre died on the 4th July 1979 in Paris and is buried in Neauphle le Château near his wife who predeceased him by 15 years.
We have recently (November 2023) had it confirmed by a member of the Traverse family that Pierre Traverse would sign his Ceramic items “Aladin”. This appears to be previously unknown information.
He produced items in a variety of sizes, some of them much larger than life-size. Pierre also produced paintings, mainly of scenery, in his early career.
Please read our Blog on Pierre Traverse for more information.
Tribout, George Henri (b. 1884)
French artist born in Paris in 1884. He studied at the Universite de Notre Dame in Boulogne. He started painting in the Cubist style and exhibited at the Salon des Independants in 1909. At the time he lived in Saint Cloud and he was friend with Ensor, Montald, and Stephen Zweig, who all advised him on his painting. After the 1st war he painted landscapes and portraits and exhibited at the Galerie Alligons in Paris, his works were permanently displayed there. He exhibited in the expositions of ceramics at L’Exposition des Arts Decoratifs in 1925, in Paris. At this time Tribout also designed posters, theatrical costumes and sets and ceramics. Many of his ceramics works were produced by Sevres.
Triomphe, Joseph Sapey (1897 – 1956) A French sculptor born in March 1897 in Lyon and died July 18, 1956 in Paris. He was a student of Jean-Baptiste Larrivé at the National School of Fine Arts in Lyon, where he obtained the first prize in 1923 followed by the Paul Chenavard prize at the École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts in 1926. During the 1920s he exhibited at the Salon d’Automne in Lyon, reliefs and various topics, nudes, animals in the simplistic line of François Pompon , religious allegories and treated with art stylization close of the Art Deco which prefigures neoclassicism , such as the bust of La Tête de Geoffroy. In 1926 the French government brought from him for the Salon d’Automne in Lyon his statue The Virgin. During the 1930s he designed perfume bottles for Lanvin, and base reliefs for musical and electric companies like Pathe-Marconi and Hohner accordions. He had an atelier in Paris. In September 1943, his workshop at 5 rue Jean-Ferrandi in Paris was totally destroyed by a bomb targeting the Montparnasse station . All works from this period are destroyed. Many or his works are in public collections.
Turin, Pierre (1891 – 1968)
French medalist. He studied at Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, pupil of Vernon and Patey. Won the Premier Grand Prix de Rome de gravure en medailles in 1920. Medaille d’honneur at Salon des Artistes Francais.
Right: Pierre Turin – ‘Printemps’ Wall Plaque
Tutter, Karl (1883 – 1969)
born in Germany, Karl Tutter was one of the most famous porcelain modellers of the 20th century, along with Carl Werner. He gained fame and aclaim internationally for his porcelain masterpieces and was probably the artist most responsible for the reputation of Hutschenreuther art figurines. He was a prolific artist for Hutschenreuther, and produced memorable pieces including Mephisto, Sonnenkind, Nach dem Bade and Finale, for over 40 years.
Uriano
Uriano was, I believe a pseudonym used by Ugo Cipriani. Cipriani used many pseudonyms – Uriano, Menneville, Roggia, De Viggo and of course his own name – Ugo Cipriani. Many artists at this timer used pseudonyms and many of the pseudonyms were family related names. Note that Uriano uses letters from his real name – Ugo Cipriani. Statuary pieces produced during the deco years were mainly in spelter but also in bronze. Most of the spelter pieces were produced by the Costan and Sylvin foundries – who were cousins.
Vallet-Bisson, Frederique (1862 – 1949)
Vallet-Bisson was born soon 29 April 1862 in Amiens but moved to Paris, where she became a pupil of Jules-Joseph Lefebvre at the Academie Julian. She showed works at the Paris Salon from 1890 to 1945 and exhibited at Chicago World Exposition in 1893.
Van Den Bossche, Dominique (1854 – 1906)
Born and worked in Belgium, producing Art Nouveau statues.
Van Der Straeten, Georges (or Joris) (1857 – 1938)
Born in 1857, Ghent, Belgium. Studied law by day and sculpture by night, but his love of the art won over and he became a professional sculpture. He studied under G. Kasteleyn and Jef Lambeaux. By 1878 he had become one of Brussels most prolific sculptors. He moved to Paris on advice of his friend the renown painter, Jan Van Beers and became well known for his figures of clowns, pierrots, ragamuffins, circus performers, buxom peasant girls and seductive Parisian ladies. He also gained recognition for his portrait busts of contemporary notables and beautiful women. He had an uncanny skill at capturing facial expressions which clearly portrayed sadness or joy. Some of his female figures are very similar to Emmanuelle Villanis pieces. He worked in Paris and exhibited at the salon from 1912 onwards.
Van de Voorde, Georges-Abel Vandevoorde (1878 – 1964)
Born Kortrijk (Belgium) 1878, died 1964 Anderlecht. Sculptor and medallist. He was a pupil of (among others) Constant Devreese and Julien Dillens. Helped Victor Rousseau and worked as his atelier for 7 years. He also taught and later became president of an art-academy. He won the Second Price Godecharle in 1905 and regularly showed his work at national and international exhibitions. He sculpted several larger monuments, including a war-memorial in Brussels, the sculpture of Pieter Coutereel in Louvain and the monument in white stone of Saint John Nepomucenus which was his last monumental design, and is located in his birthplace Kortrijk. He made portrait-busts of famous people which can be seen in parks all over Belgium, and he occasionally liked working around a particular theme, for instance elderly people. He worked in many mediums, including ivory, clay, stone, wood, spelter and bronze.
Vargas, Alberto (1896 – 1982)
The most famous and best respected of all the pin-up girl artists. Born Febuary 9th 1896 in Arequipa, Peru, he died in 1982 The word ‘Vargas’ has actually been applied to almost every kind of pin-up subject – a fitting tribute to the most famous and talented glamour artist of all time. He was the son of respected portrait photographer Max Vargas. His father secured an apprenticeship for Vargas at Julien Studios in Switzerland in 1915. He studied in Zurich and Geneva before leaving Europe because of the war and arriving on Ellis Island in October 1916. Vargas maintained a full schedule throughout the 1920’s, working for a diverse group of clients in addition to the Follies and Paramount. He painted front covers for Tatler and Dance magazines, did hairstyle illustrations for Harper’s Bazaar, and even designed some countertop displays for Old Gold cigarettes. Yet he still found time to paint his favourite Ziegfeld Follies stars for his own pleasure, including the daring Shirley Vernon, whose 1927 portrait was preserved in his private collection.
After two lucky breaks, producing lobby paintings for Ziegfield Follies in the 20’s and Hollywood portraits of stars in the 30’s, Vargas was approached to provide artwork for the newly started Esquire Magazine in 1940. When Vargas and Esquire went their separate ways in 1946, the artist immediately embarked upon a project to publish his own yearly calendar. In the meantime, the magazine published an Esquire Calendar for 1947 that consisted completely of unsigned Vargas paintings. By the time Vargas’ 1948 calendar was published, Esquire had a court order barring the artist from selling or distributing any product bearing the name ‘Varga’, which the magazine had copyrighted. In 1950, a court ruled that Vargas would have to sign all his subsequent paintings with his full name. Although he worked into the 1970s, his best work was produced from 1940 – 1947 which was when he produced the famous Varga girls centre folds, and calendar works for the new Esquire magazine mens magazine.
Varnier, R
Sculptural artist working during the deco years. Made statues and car mascots in shelter, ivory and bronze and ivory.
Villanis, Emmanuel, (1858 – 1914),
born in France to Italian parents, he was educated in Italy, but work and exhibited in France in the Salon de Paris and at the Paris Exposition Universelle where in 1889 he received an honourable mention. The realistic expression of the eyes of his subjects is due to his innovative technique of deep cut, he was strongly committed to the Art Nouveau movement, and together with Moreau, Bouval, Luidgi, Picault, Barrias, he produced some of the most remarkable studies of the powerful, sensual and yet subtle female form.
His sculptures where cast by well known foundries such as Vrai Bronze Garanti Paris, fabrication Francais, Societe des Bronzes, Eugene Blot.
Villeneuve – Jacques Louis Robert (1865 – 1933)
Born in Basson, France, January 1865 and died Paris February 1933. Pupil of Injalbert and Thomas. He exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Francais. Won 3rd class medal (1897) / 2nd class medal (1899) / 1st class (1904). Also was awarded Legion d’honneur in 1906. Produced mainly genre groups, and classical, heroic and historical scenes, and busts of his contemporaries.
Villien, Andre
Meal worker producing art nouveau and deco items such as bowls, vases jugs and boxes. He worked in conjunction with Louise Dage, Dage made the majolica slip wear and then it was clad by Villien in gilt bronze mounts and handles. Stunning quality and highly sought after. Andre Villien, marked “A.V. Paris, l’etain Francais , Depose a la Marquise de Sevigne”, active 1905-1924, production most likely 1915 to 1920’s.
Voysey, Charles, A (1847 – 1941)
Originally trained as an english architect, designing buildings and whole interiors including wallpapers, textiles and furniture strongly influenced by the English Arts and Crafts movement mostly to commission. His furniture was hand-made in native woods such as oak and beech with his own very distinctive style.
Wagenfeld, Wilhelm (1900 – 1990)
German architect-industrial designer, was an assistant instructor at the Bauhaus school in 1925. His MT8 table lamp is one of the earliest examples of Bauhaus design philosophy and is still being produced. Best known for his jewellery and glasswork, he designed many kitchen and tableware products in the 1940’s. Later projects included hospitality packs for Lufthansa, porcelain tableware for Rosenthal, appliances for Braun, and lighting for WMF and Schott. His designs and writing stressed a functional approach as a prerequisite to good design.
Wahliss, Ernst
Ernst Wahliss of Turn-Wien, Austria, was a highly regarded artist who designed Amphora art pottery and art nouveau figures and busts. He enjoyed much success beyond Europe. Wahliss produced between 1897 and 1906 some of the most beautiful female art nouveau busts and figures which are highly sought after today by collectors given their beauty and technical complexity. Wahliss was unique among the amphora manufacturers for having his own retail shops in London and Vienna.
Walery, Lucien (1863 – 1935)
Lucien Walery’s contribution to the art deco movement is primarily due to his photography and reproduction as photogravures of a catalogue of nude dancers in Paris in 1923 – many from the Ballet Russe and Folies Bergere in art deco poses – some of which were copied by the statue artists of the time.
There is some confusion over the name of Walery as there were two or more photographers using the same name including the Lithuanian Count Stanislaw Julian Ostrorog (1830-1890) who used the name as an adaption of his wife’s name Waleria. His son also followed in his fathers footsteps and Walery and his son were later based in Britain and were responsible for a number of photographs of famous people of the time including Queen Victoria.
The younger Count Ostrorog is often confused with Lucien Walery, who lived and worked in Paris in the period 1900-1930, and is known for his photographs of dancers mentioned above as well as photographs of leading ladies of the period including Mata Hari and Josephine Baker. Lucien signed his photographs ‘Walery – Paris’, ‘Yrelaw’, or ‘Laryew’. Some believe that Lucien is the same as the younger Count Ostrorog, who is supposed to have moved to Paris, around 1900. More likely Lucien is altogether a different person of which there appears to be very little information.
Because of the nature of his photographs, (which were considered very risque to say the least in the 1920’s), he published them using his pseudonym which was Laryew. Walery was just a rearrangement of the letters of his name. Many artists did this at that time. He moved to Marseilles and then on to Paris following in his fathers footsteps as a photographer to the rich and famous. Whilst in Paris he befriended Josephine Baker and photographed the girls of the Folies Bergere. He is considered by many to have been a true master of art deco photography. I have several of these photogravures and apparently all the ladies in them were dancers from the Folies Bergere, each one is numbered with a Roman numeral. Our selection of Walery pictures were published as a collection of 100 photogravures by Librairie des Arts Decoratifs. However, we do not have the entire catalogue and we also have several doubles of the same picture.
Walther, Ludwig (1890 – 1972)
Ludwig Walther was born in Erbach, Germany in 1890 where he also died in 1972. He trained under Carl Haebler in Baden-Baden and later under Ferdinand Preiss in Berlin, where he specialised in the production of dancers. Many of the ivory nudes from the Preiss-Kassler workshop attributed to Preiss were designed by Walther.
Werner, Carl (1895 – 1980)
A sculptor and one of the most important German porcelain modellers of the 20th century. He studied at the University of Art, Weimar and also in Prague and Cologne. In 1922 he started work as a sculptor for Hutschenreuthr AG, in 1960 he was appointed head of the department. He created many wonderful figurines including Die roten Schuhe, Bajadere and Schwerttanzer and also many animalier sculptures.
Wiener Werkstatte (Vienna Workshops) (1903 – 1932)
Series of Austrian craft workshops founded by Koloman Moser who was inspired by the attempts of the Vienna Secessionists to bring more abstract and purer forms to design. Mostly famous for its ceramic creations including many wall masks. Associated designers included Josef Maria Olbrich and Koloman Moser. Their designs included silver, glass, metalwork, furniture and even buildings. Koloman Moser was originally trained as an architect (as is often the case), he was influenced by the Scottish born Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow School.
Wright, Frank Lloyd (1867 – 1959)
A prolific commercial and residential American architect and designer, father of the Prairie school of architecture. His works are well documented.
W.M.F. (Wuttembergische Metallwarenfabrik), (1880 – present)
This Austrian metalwork foundry was the most successful German art pewterer of the Art Nouveau period. Mass producing good quality, mainly decorative wares in high Nouveau style. The firm also produced items in glass.
Zach, Bruno (1891 – 1945)
Art Deco and art nouveau sculptor born in the Ukraine but moved to Austria as a young man where he studied at the Vienna academy. He worked from 1918 to 1935, mainly in bronze but also made chryselephantine pieces (bronze and ivory) and a few spelters. He devoted most of his talents to the exotic and erotic, although a few sporting figures and dancers were also produces. Some of his models were prostitutes, in whose company he apparently frequently spent some of his evenings. Rumour has it that he proposed to one of them and was refused. Most of his subjects are female with a few dancing couples. He signed most of his pieces Bruno Zach or B. Zach but also used two pseudonyms – Pro Tuch or K. Salat. His erotic statues were usually scantily clad ladies in stockings, garters and high heels and he even created one of a female hugging a male penis known as the Hugger. Some even bordered on the sad-masochistic theme as shown in his most famous statue – the riding crop. His bronze sculptures were generally fired and coated with chemical patinas in mid-brown colours but were sometimes cold painted or polychromed. He used ivory, sparingly, and it was generally very well carved. Zach’s work was edited by several firms, including Argentor-Werke (Vienna), Broma Companie, S. Altmann and Company, and Franz Bergmann. He died in Vienna in 1945.
Zelikson, Serge (b. 1890)
Born 1890 in Polotski, Russia. He won a scolarship to travel in 1912 and went to Paris where he studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts under the guidance of Injalbert, Bouchard and Landowsky. He took French naturalisation in 1920. He specialised in genre figures and figural groups, busts and medals and bas-reliefs of contemporary personalities. He exhibited his works at Le Salon d’Automne, the Nationale and the Independants also at provincail gallerys around France. The Paris Municipal Museum displays his famous figure of a Volga Boatman.