ART DECO - ASK THE EXPERT

Q: This ornament has been passed down through my family. It was given to my father as a gift during the 1940’s. Although I like it, it is too delicate to display and it lives in a box in the attic. However, I would like to know more about it. I think it may be valuable but not sure how much it would be worth.

A: Your sculpture is a fantastic piece of French Art Deco glass. It was made by Gabriel Ary-Rousseau and sculptured by Marcel Bouraine c.1928. The process of which it is made is called pate de cristal, a technique whereby near transparent glass made of powdered glass paste is fused in a mould to give the lovely mottled inclusions. This is a famous model titled ‘Danseuse’ and these were originally conceived as table lamps as there is a slot at the back to fit an electric light. Versions were made in onyx green colours which have fetched £20,000 to 30,000 in the past. Your version would realise £10,000 to £15,000 at auction at present.


Q: I recently bought this light at an Art Deco fair just because I liked it. However, I don’t really know much about it and I have heard there are fakes around. I paid £220 for it. Can you advise?

A: I am pleased to confirm you have had a good buy. Your table lamp is British and dates from the 1930’s. The design is loosely inspired by the bronze and ivory European Art Deco figures by F. Preiss and D. Chiparus of the 1920’s. The lady upholding the globe is made of cold painted bronze and mounted on a marble plinth. Such lamps represent great and affordable Art Deco originals and I believe it should be a good investment.