Henri Louis Levasseur, French Art Nouveau Patinated Bronze Sculpture, 1900s

DETAILS Signed and foundry mark on back. DIMENSIONS Height: 4-15/16 inches Width: 2-5/16 inches Depth: 2.25 inches ABOUT THE SCULPTURE This portrait bust is of Nelly Faner, famous burlesque dancer at the turn of the XX Century Paris. ABOUT THE SCULPTORE Emmanuel Villdnis (French, 1858 – 1914) was born to Italian parents in France, in 1858. He moved with the family to Piedmont, Italy, in March 1861; after the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy. Known in Italy as Villani, he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts Albertina in Turin from 1871 to 1880 alongside master-sculptor Odoardo Tabacchi. When Villanis graduated, he exhibited his first works in cities across Italy, notably his bust ‘Alda’ in Milan, in 1881. Villanis returned to France in 1885, living and working in the Montmartre district of Paris and didn’t leave Montmartre until his death on August 28th 1914. Villanis specialised in female bronze busts...

This provocative, desk-size bronze statuette of a semi-nude oriental dancer in a sensuous, rather candid pose rendered in the best Art Nouveau traditions of the world-famous Viennese foundry of Franz Xavier Bergman...

Probably Austrian, this lovely Jugenstil desk-sized black-patinated bronze figurine on its original marble pedestal depicts a fawn youth, checking the size of his tail to see how muc...

ABOUT IRIS The iris is a special and mysterious flower. Not only because of its striking appearance, but also from an artistic and historical point of view. It is also like a work of art, as though created by Mother Nature. The unique leaves of this plant not only create wonderful shadow casts, but also look as if they were painted by hand. It's no wonder that iris acts as the muse for countless artists, and can be seen in many famous works of art. The iris was first spotted in the time of Pharaoh Thutmose, in 1504 BC. He had the iris inscribed into the wall reliefs of a temple as a sign of his power, as well as decorating his sceptre with motifs of the flower. Since then, the iris has been a symbol of victory in Egypt. But the symbolism of the iris goes further than that. In Japan, the flower represents courage and is the symbol of the boys' festival. In Islamic cultures, the iris is a symbol of prosperity. In Europe, the flower was a popular weapon symbol in the Middle Ages and stood for chivalry. And in Christianity, the iris was seen as a symbol of the trinity because of its three-part flowers. With more than 300 varieties, the iris is now the most popular flower among growers and gardeners following the rose. Countless artists use the iris in their works and the flower is present in all eras. You can see the flower on furniture, vases, jewelry, fabrics, sculptures, coats of arms and much more. Did you know that the iris is also called the sword lily? It's not a coincidence that it used to symbolize physical and emotional pain and suffering caused by a weapon. We also see the flower in religious art, where it's often associated with Mary and Jesus. The iris is also associated with the Greek goddess Iris, where the flower symbolizes reconciliation and divine messages. This is also reflected in many paintings. Finally, the iris is also visible in Dutch and Flemish still-life paintings. This can be in a religious form, incorporated into an object or as a decorative flower. In the Art Nouveau art movement, the iris (along with other plants, such as the birch) was often used as an expression of feminine beauty. With its almost otherworldly appearance, the iris is perfectly suited to the Art Nouveau aesthetic and is featured in many well-known works of art. The poet of that era, Hermann Hesse...

This gilt bronze French Art Nouveau figural sculpture of Loïe Fuller by Henri Levasseur features the dancer performing her famous dance of veils. Fuller stands nude, one foot in fron...

Large sculpture in patinated bronze by Henri Vidal, circa 1900, Art Nouveau period. Patinated bronze sculpture by the sculptor Henri Vidal, Art Nouveau period, circa 1900. H: 100cm,...

A stunning antique French art nouveau bronze sculpture of the personification of night (La Nuit) (woman sitting on a moon with a star crown) by Henri Louis Levasseur (1853-1934), sig...

Sculpture in patinated bronze by Henri Emile Allouard, 1900. An early 20th century patinated bronze sculpture by Henri Emile Allouard of a woman dozing in her armchair, signed, circ...