Romanian sculptor Demetre Chiparus — who is sometimes referred to as Dumitru Chiparus or Dimitri Chiparus — was a renowned Art Deco-era artist most often associated with realism. He initially created sculptures that featured small children. As his work began to mature, he continued to create figurative sculptures but shifted his focus, and his output was marked by an appreciation for the lithe female form — a popular subject during the 1920s. Chiparus was later known for his animal sculptures, too.
Chiparus lived comfortably as an artist owing in part to his family fortune. At the age of 23, he moved to Italy and began his formal art and sculpting studies under Italian sculptor Raffaello Romanelli. Following his time in Italy, he moved to Paris where he attended L'École des Beaux-Arts. He studied under sculptors Antonin Mercie and Jean Boucher. He was inspired by the Russian Ballet, French theater and early motion pictures.
Though he wouldn’t sell many of his pieces during his lifetime, Chiparus was well known for his bright and colorful busts and sculptures featuring dancing ladies. He was equally inspired by the discovery of King Tut’s tomb — a common influence for designers and artists of the Art Deco era — which is obvious in his references to Egyptian themes in his decorative objects and other realist works.
Chiparus worked with a combination of ivory and bronze to create chryselephantine sculptures, a method and type of sculpture that was particularly popular during the Archaic period. The bases of his pieces were typically made of marble or onyx and he adorned his life-like subjects with vibrant enamel that lent a touch of whimsicality to his art.
Chiparus exhibited his works at the Salon of 1914 and lived in Paris until his death. A range of his sculptures is held in the permanent collection of the Museo Art Nouveau and Art Deco in Spain.
Find original Demetre Chiparus decorative objects, sculptures and other works on 1stDibs.
Terracotta Bust Of A Child Signed D. H. Chiparus, 20th Century
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in PARIS, FR
Terracotta bust of a child signed D. H. Chiparus Superb terracotta bust of a young child holding a panpipes, a work imbued with gentleness and poetry. The delicate modeling of the f...
Terracotta
New England Folk Art Hand-Carved Wooden Fish Trade Sign, 20th Century
Located in Elkhart, IN
A wonderfully primitive early-to-mid-20th-century hand-carved wooden fish, believed to have originally hung at a seaside restaurant in Massachusetts. Carved with an expressive open m...
Wood
French Early 20th Century Leather Horse Sculpture
Located in Round Top, TX
A very handsome early 20th century French Leather Horse Sculpture. Beautifully poised in a rearing position. Wonderful patina. A terrifi...
Leather
Early 20th Century Carved Wooden Figure of a Mormon
Located in London, GB
The Mormon We are proud to offer a unique hand carved early 20th century figure of a traditional Mormon. Wonderfully carved from a single piece of hard wood, detailing an angel at t...
Wood, Paint
$3,795Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.5 in W 10.25 in D 11 in
Charming Italian 19th-20th Century Carved Alabaster Figure of a Fisher Boy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A charming Italian 19th-20th century carved alabaster figure of a fisher boy. The young boy wearing a blouse, with his pant legs rolled up to his knees and ...
Alabaster
African Hand-Carved Wood Bust of Mandinka Woman, 20th Century
Located in London, GB
The African wood female bust figurative sculpture of a Mandinka woman is a striking piece of art that encapsulates the cultural heritage and craftsmanship of West Africa. Hand-carved...
Wood
$1,760Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 7.88 in Dm 11.82 in
early 20th Century Set of Four Peruvian Carved Gourds
Located in Haarlem, NL
Set of four antique carved gourds from Peru, three little ones with silver settings and decorations and a large carved gourd. A Gourd is a crop plant in...
Sterling Silver
20th Century French Bronze Abstract Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
A 20th century French bronze abstract sculpture, signed near the base. Cast in solid bronze and finished with a richly variegated verdigris patina, the work is composed of intersecti...
Bronze
$936
H 12.21 in W 17.72 in D 6.7 in
Pair of Large Stucco Sheep Sculptures, Early 20th Century, Farm Animals
Located in Benalmadena, ES
This charming pair of large, handcrafted stucco or plaster sheep sculptures dates from the early 20th century, representing European folk art. The set includes one reclining lamb and...
Stucco
Early 20th Century Scratch Built Church Model
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century scratch built Church model We share what we love, and we love this scratch-built pine model of a church. Hand carved detail with gla...
Pine
$2,040 / set
H 24.41 in Dm 23.63 in
Early 20th Century Folk Art Toleware Moon Carved Wooden Sun Trade Sign
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A fun pair of sculptural and highly decorative objects, a toleware crescent moon and carved wooden sun, very much in the folk art style. Booth extremely characterful, with expressiv...
Metal
20th Century American Folk Art Carved Stop Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
A 20th century American Folk Art hand-carved and painted wood stop sign mounted on a custom steel stand.
Wood, Paint
20th Century Bronze Sculpture of a Dancing Faun
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Classic and well-modelled sculpture of a dancing faun.
Bronze
Demetre Chiparus Birgitta
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
Birgitta, an Art Deco, terracotta bust of an elegant lady, set over a stepped, integral base. Inscribed Edition Reveyrolis Paris to rear. Signed DH Chiparus to base Artist: De...
Terracotta
Demetre Chiparus Art Deco Bronze Sculpture "Antinea", circa 1925
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Buffalo, NY
Demetre Chiparus (Romanian, 1886-1947) Antinea sculpture, circa 1925. Measures: 27" high. Silver and gold patina on a multicolored marble base. Amazing surface, hand rubbed finish, ...
Marble, Bronze