(A) Jean de Roncourt was perhaps the master sculptor of the male figure during the 20's; this, perhaps his best-known work, is entitled Le Bendeur. It measures about 28 inches wide and 23 high; the depth of the black marble is 6 1/2 inches. For the most part, de Roncourt's sculptures are cast white metal, and they have a bronze or verdigris patina.

Monsieur Le Bendeur has made his way to Yakima, his new home! SOLD!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We be talkin' SCULPTURE!

 

(B) One of my great favorites, "l'homme enchaine." Hmmmm, I wonder why I, whose life is but a bed of roses, might vaguely identify with this piece!? I'll leave that for you amateur psychologists to muse about... and in the meantime, getting back to Monsieur en Douleur... well, I'll just bet that he broke those constrictions, and that he's moved on to a happy, productive life! Again, as most of de Roncourt's work, it's spelter (white metal) with a bronze/verdigris patina, on Belgian black marble. He's in the neighborhood of 20" tall and about 26 wide. (e-mail Jack for a price)

 

 

(C) J. Rudens created an identical patinated spelter statue which I just sold to Robert, in NYC. This one, magically just arrived, is signed "Hervor." I've had other Hervor pieces and can only assume that one or the other (or both!!) of these gentlesculptors was employing a pseudonym. Speculation as to why -- so tempting, so delicious... Our handsome young lad measures 18 1/2 wide, 7 1/4 deep, and 13 high; the base is made of black Belgian marble. (e-mail Jack for a price)

 

 

(C) Our sculptor in this instance is looking to convey not so much the literal man as his energy, so the interpretation is not so literal physically. Signed on the patinated bronze figure as well as inscribed into the black marble: Decoux, a noted sculptor of The Period. The marble base, in near-mint condition, emits a rather forceful energy in its own right! (e-mail Jack for a price)

 

 

 

(E) Besides hunting and sports, work was a favorite theme of these sculptors of men in their elements. And what better pursuit than the forging and hammering of wrought iron, a staple of the decorative arts in the 1920's in France? This sculpture is signed "Hervor" and it measures 18 1/2 wide, 7 deep and 15 1/2 inches high.

Peter had to have Hervor's Le Feronnier and who can blame him?! SOLD!!

 

 

(F) Perched on a dramatic base of Portoro marble, this white metal statue testifies to the importance of speed and achievement in the 1920's. It's about 19 inches high and the base measures 15 by 4 1/2 and signed on the base. Signed, you ask?! Yes, on the marble, VALDIERI, I respond... Then I wink and say, "But the artist is really none other than MAX LE VERRIER!" (e-mail Jack for a price)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(G) Another Jean de Roncourt masterpiece of sculptural percerption, this archer/hunter study of attentive go-get-'em-ism contrasts beautifully with the dreamy, creamy marble base. He measures 18 1/2 wide, 5 deep, and 15 high to the tip of his ivrene bow. (e-mail Jack for a price)

 

 

One thinks occasionally about the enjoyment of being present for one of de Roncourt's modeling sessions...

 

  

(H) A white metal statue on onyx and Portoro marble base; the spear is silver-plated, the horns an early type of plastic. Great tension in the figures!

This guy was stolen from my store on 5 Jan 09 -- if you happen to bump into him or his gazelle friend, would you let me know? Jack: 415 518 2123

 

 

(I) Mon Dieu, look what Jack's bought now!!! This massive bronze, signed Gibert, a French sculptor of note, is 33 inches wide by 31 inches tall, so you better be ready to stick him in a prominent place, like the dining room sideboard! Dig that luscious verdigris patina... among other things... (e-mail Jack for a price)

OOoooooooooo, Monsieur MAN!!!! Note how the textured surface lends additional authority to this... "piece de resistance..."

 

 

(J) Want to know what the real manly men are doing? They're teaching their boys how to be men, that's what they're doing! If you're one of the lucky ones whose father or uncle or neighbor helped you attain your manhood, perhaps you'll honor him with this bronze plaque by the famed French artist Dropsy. Or, lacking those regrettably infrequent circumstances, buy it for yourself, to honor the way you've brought yourself along! It measures about 8 inches tall, 10 wide, and is dated 1924. (e-mail Jack for a price)

 

 

  

 

(K) What these guys have to do with Art Deco I'm hard-pressed to say. However, here are patinated composition copies, on marble bases, of a pair of ancient Greek warrior bronze statues (the originals were six feet high, far too grand for my living room) which were discovered in the Mediterranean sometime in the early 70's. (Other views of warrior on left) (Other views of his friend) (e-mail Jack for a price)

 

 

(L) This gleaming, muscled javelin thrower is by none other than Max Le Verrier (signed on the back of that glorious stone base). He's patinated by time and 24 inches long; about 8 deep and 11 high. Beware, his chiseled beauty just might send you to the moon! This sculpture is fittingly titled, by the way, "L'Embuscade" (the ambush).

Bob's manly magnet snared Le Verrier's L'Embuscade, too! SOLD!!

 

  

(M) This bronze plaque, highly stylized in the Art Deco manner, depicts one of the icons and heroes of the period, Charles Lindberg. It's framed in a shadow box surrounded by the sort of leather you might find on... a Navy flier's jacket!!! Sexy, huh (yes, my idea)? The bronze plaque is 5 2/3 by 7 and the entire affair, frame included, is about 15 x 18. (e-mail Jack for a price)

 

 

(O) I'm not sure why I've included this jester amongst the "manly men," perhaps for balance? He's checking himself out in his hand mirror --maybe he's feeling sensitive and vulnerable, especially in this company of rugged he-men. But, he's bronze, and beautifully cast, so he's got that going for him. I like his little foo-foo base, too. He could probably toss any of those muscled guys over his skinny shoulder.

(e-mail Jack for a price)

 

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