Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
Erte - Romain de TirtoffMah-Jongg by Erté1925
1925
About the Item
Erté (Romain de Tirtoff)
1892-1990 Russian-French
Mah-Jongg
Signed "Erté" (lower right)
Inscribed "No. 363" (en verso)
Gouache and gold on paper
Erté's artful depiction in gold, brown, and black and white is titledMah-Jongg, representing a central character in the production of the same name. This performance draws inspiration from the tile-based game that originated in 19th-century China, a game that intricately weaves skill, strategy and luck and garnered global popularity. In his design, Erté crafts an imposing, monumental ensemble evocative of a traditional Chinese gate. The character's face, subtly masked, peers from atop a stately column-like structure. Adorned with a regal black and gold headpiece, this character captivates with the mysterious charm of a stage prop, discreetly biding time, only to unveil itself as an integral part of the ensemble, poised for a significant role.
Russian-French visionary Romain de Tirtoff (1892-1990), popularly known as Erté, began his artistic journey in the culturally rich city of St. Petersburg, where he developed an early fondness for ballet and theatrical performances. He moved to Paris in 1912 to study architecture, and quickly found his creative niche in crafting fantastical costumes for the city's bustling nightlife. Erté's expertise, refined under the guidance of the famed Paul Poiret, captured the attention of Harper's Bazaar, marking the beginning of a significant partnership that spanned from 1915 to 1936. The artist also designed sets for notable cinematic masterpieces including Ben Hur and La Bohème, and created sets and costumes for cabarets, operas and other performances at the Folies-Bergères, Bal Tabarin, the Théâtre du Bataclan and Le Casino de Paris. Erté was a trailblazer whose colorful creations shaped the groundbreaking Art Deco era more than any other, leaving an indelible mark on the history of art and design. His artworks reside in prestigious museum collections worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Painted 1925
Paper: 15 1/8" high x 10 3/8" wide
Frame: 20 3/4" high x 16 7/8" wide x 5/8" deep
Provenance:
Private collection, Paris
M.S. Rau, New Orleans
Exhibitions:
M.S. Rau, New Orleans, Erté and the Era of Art Deco, October 14, 2023 - January 3, 2024
- Creator:Erte - Romain de Tirtoff (1892 - 1990, Russian)
- Creation Year:1925
- Dimensions:Height: 20.75 in (52.71 cm)Width: 16.875 in (42.87 cm)Depth: 0.625 in (1.59 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:New Orleans, LA
- Reference Number:
Erte - Romain de Tirtoff
Erté, Romain de Tirtoff, (1892–1990) was a Russian-born French artist and designer who is equally famous for his elegant fashion designs and his artwork, both of which capture the art deco period in which he worked. Diversely talented, Erté was born in Saint Petersburg to a distinguished family with roots tracing back to 1548. After moving to Paris, he secured his first substantial contract with Harper's Bazaar magazine, and thus launched an illustrious career that included designing costumes and stage sets. Between 1915–1937, Erte designed over 200 covers for Harper's Bazaar, and his illustrations would also appear in such publications as Illustrated London News, Cosmopolitan, Ladies' Home Journal, and Vogue. Erté flourished and was renowned in an array of fields, including fashion, jewelry, graphic arts, costume and set design for film, theater, and opera, and interior decor.
After designing apparel for the French dancer Gaby Deslys, Erté went on to design costumes, program designs, and sets which were featured in the Ziegfeld Follies of 1923, many productions of the Folies Bergère, and George White's Scandals. On Broadway, the celebrated French chanteuse Irène Bordoni wore Erté's designs. His delicate figures and sophisticated, glamorous designs are instantly recognizable, and his ideas and art still influence fashion into the 21st century.
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 1912
1stDibs seller since 2013
14 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 6 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New Orleans, LA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
More From This SellerView All
- Les Bambous by ErtéBy Erte - Romain de TirtoffLocated in New Orleans, LAErté (Romain de Tirtoff) 1892-1990 Russian-French Les Bambous Signed "Erté" (lower right) Inscribed "No. 361" (en verso) Gouache and gold on paper Erté renders a stylish gold an...Category
20th Century Art Deco Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsGold
- Les Dragons by ErtéBy Erte - Romain de TirtoffLocated in New Orleans, LAErté (Romain de Tirtoff) 1892-1990 Russian-French Les Dragons (The dragons) Signed "Erté" (lower right) Inscribed "No. 358" (en verso) Gouache and gold on paper Erté masterfully ...Category
20th Century Art Deco Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsGold
- L'hiver by ErtéBy Erte - Romain de TirtoffLocated in New Orleans, LAErté (Romain de Tirtoff) 1892-1990 Russian-French L'hiver (The winter) Signed "Erté" (lower right) Inscribed "No. 356" (en verso) Gouache and gold on paper Erté crafts an elegant...Category
20th Century Art Deco Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsGold
- La Prêtresse by ErtéBy ErtéLocated in New Orleans, LAErté (Romain de Tirtoff) 1892-1990 Russian-French La Prêtresse - Danseuse sacréeThe Priestess - Sacred Dancer Signed "Erté" (lower right) Inscribed "Les Rois des Légendes / N°3 / L...Category
20th Century Art Deco Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsSilver
- Eunuque by ErtéBy Erte - Romain de TirtoffLocated in New Orleans, LAErté (Romain de Tirtoff) 1892-1990 Russian-French Eunuque Signed "Erté"(lower right) Inscribed "No. 13" (en verso) Gouache and silver on paper < br>This costume was designed for th...Category
20th Century Art Deco Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsSilver
- Eros by ErtéBy Erte - Romain de TirtoffLocated in New Orleans, LAErté (Romain de Tirtoff) 1892-1990 Russian-French Eros Signed "Erté" (lower right) Gouache and silver on paper Eros is historically portrayed as a mischievous, winged youth armed ...Category
20th Century Art Deco Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsSilver
You May Also Like
- 1910's Art Deco Erte Gouache Painting Original Hand Signed Rare French CostumeBy ErtéLocated in Buffalo, NYA rare original signed Art Deco gouache on paper by Erte (Romain de Tirtoff) . This stunning theatrical costume design is signed Erte at the lower right. The piece is 20 by 18 fram...Category
1910s Art Deco Figurative Paintings
MaterialsPencil, Archival Paper, Gouache
- Art Deco Costume Design - EvaBy Georges LepapeLocated in Miami, FLThe paper in some of these photos looks overly textured due to the sharpness of the high-res digital camera. In person, with the human eye, the paper looks reasonably smooth with out blemishes. For this fashion illustration, Georges Lepape paints a stunning abstract pattern for the subject dress that is repeated in her hair. The work represents an early use of metallic paint, with silver metallic in the dress and bronze metallic in the blouse. Lepape's highly detailed drawing becomes more evident the closer you look. It's quite amazing how deftly he rendered facial feature on such a small scale. "Eva" 1918 Gouache, watercolor, and ink on paper Signed and dated, lower right: '1918' Inscribed, verso: "Costume for L'enfantement du mort, (miracle en pourpre, et or.). Devised by Marcel L'Herbier and performed at the Théatre Edouard VII and the Comédie des Champs-Elysées, 1919" Provenance: Ex-collection Lucien...Category
1910s Art Deco Figurative Drawings and Watercolors
MaterialsInk, Gouache, Paper, Watercolor, Pencil
- Optimism and Pessimism, 1927 (Harper's Bazar Cover - May 1929)By ErtéLocated in Greenwich, CTOptimism and Pessimism, created in 1927, was the cover design for Harper's Bazar in May 1929. This is a gouache painting on board, signed recto 'Erté' lower right in the image, and f...Category
20th Century Art Deco Paintings
MaterialsGouache, Paper
- Les Rois des Lègendes, Costume pour femme ésclave, 1919By ErtéLocated in Greenwich, CTLes Rois des Lègendes, Costume pour femme ésclave from 1919 is a gouache painting on black paper, 10.75 x 9 inches, framed in a custom, closed-corner, Art Deco frame, 24 x 20 inches....Category
20th Century Art Deco Paintings
MaterialsGouache, Paper
- Untitled Fashion Design, 1920By ErtéLocated in Greenwich, CTUntitled (Fashion Design) was created for Harper's Bazar and appeared in the February, 1920 edition of the magazine. This is a gouache painting on tissue paper measuring approximately 10 x 6.5 inches and framed in a custom, closed-corner Art Deco...Category
20th Century Art Deco Paintings
MaterialsGouache, Paper
- Troisemmè Dame, 1919By ErtéLocated in Greenwich, CTTroisemmè Dame from 1919 is a gouache painting on paper, 12 x 9.5 inches, framed in a custom, closed-corner, Art Deco frame to 20.25 x 18 inches. Signed recto 'Erté' mid lower right ...Category
20th Century Art Deco Paintings
MaterialsGouache, Paper
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Wear Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Genius on Your Finger with This Vivid Ring
In his jewelry making, the designer rarely used diamonds — this rare example has two.
You Won’t Find a More Handsome Stopwatch Than This 1890s Pocket Chronograph
A Grand Complication from the golden era of pocket watches, the Marius Lecoultre pocket watch does everything but uncork your wine.
More Ways To Browse
Abstract Botanical Watercolor Art
Peter Alma
Moreland Hills
Harry Emmett
Ron Dier Sculpture
Grand Opera Music Box
Marble Bust Nude Woman
Sydney Vale
Iles De Lerins
Emil Weiss
Ladies Dance Shoes
19th Century Pencil Drawing
Catherine Siena
Pen And Ink Fashion Drawings
Collette Home
Peruvian Bird Figure
Rachel Wijsman
Bob Holloway