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Antique 1920-40 Surrealist Sculpture Unique Set Hammered SteelWire Female Torsos

About the Item

This antique Surrealist sculpture set of two one-of-a-kind female figurines was handmade in hammered steel wire with patina estimated as early as the 1920s. Each ribald three-dimensional self-standing torso study of a woman features either three spiral springs (suggesting pregnant belly with large breasts) or convex X-arrangements (defining bra and panties). The dimensions of each sculpture are similar at around 13.5H x 3.5W x 3.5D inches, while the bottom four loops of wire can be slightly adjusted to balance on a tabletop. Although in a figural style distinctly made by the same person, the wound wire patterns on both sculptures do not match in length, tightness, spacing and/or attachment point. Lack of provenance for these apparently unsigned art works has prevented attribution to date. They were acquired from a Chicago-based owner along with haute-couture accessories by 20th-Century European designers dating between the 1920s and 1940s. So ideas have ranged from an Elsa Schiaparelli fashion collaboration to artist Alexander Calder, who also designed thousands of unsigned one-off pieces of costume jewelry and tabletop sculptures from hammered wire.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 13.4 in (34.04 cm)Width: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)Diameter: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)
  • Style:
    Modern Art (In the Style Of)
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Chicago, IL
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU3244218170132

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