The Great Priestess - Demetre Chiparus (1886-1947)

Chryselephantine sculpture, bronze, ivory
raised on its original onyx base
signed on the base "D.H. Chiparus"

France
circa 1925
total height 50 cm

A similar model is reproduced in "CHIPARUS, UN SCULPTEUR ART DÉCO", ALBERTO SHAYO, ED. ABBEVILLE, 1993, PAGE 186.

Biography :
Demetre Chiparus (1886-1947) was born in Dorohoi in Romania. In 1909, he moved to Italy where he studied under Raffaello Romanelli's direction. He then went to Paris in 1912 to perfect his art at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts under the direction of Antonin Mercié and Jean Boucher. Chiparus was best known for his bronze and ivory carvings, known as chryselephantines, representing exotic dancers, mounted on bases of onyx or portor marble.

Exhibiting at the Salon in 1914, Chiparus received an honorable medal. He opened his studio after W.W.I and exhibited regularly in the salons.
Most of his works were made between the years 1914 and 1933. In the 20s, he was inspired by excavations in Egypt, including the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun, to create sculptures. His work was also inspired by Russian ballets or French theater.