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Spherical bas-relief in plaster by Geo Verbanck, Belgium, 1920s

$5,051.66
£3,761.91
€4,250
CA$6,974.50
A$7,732.27
CHF 4,063.61
MX$94,630.30
NOK 50,750.35
SEK 47,634.28
DKK 32,358.08

About the Item

A rare and monumental plaster bas-relief by Belgian sculptor Geo Verbanck (1881–1961), signed lower right and mounted on a custom walnut base. Dating from the 1920s, the relief is conceived in a striking spherical format and exemplifies Verbanck’s ability to fuse classical harmony with modern expressiveness. At its center lies the intimate motif of mother and child, a theme Verbanck revisited throughout his career. Their embrace unfolds beneath the presence of a cloaked skeleton, an arresting image that evokes the timeless motif of memento mori and underscores the fragile continuity of life. Belgian sculptor Geo Verbanck left behind a remarkable oeuvre and is celebrated as one of Belgium’s last classical sculptors — earning the epithet ‘le poète de l’élégance’. He mastered an array of materials, from plaster and bronze to marble and limestone. During the interbellum, his work gradually matured from Art Nouveau into the more linear and angular language of Art Deco. This transition is reflected here in the serene yet symbolically charged composition with sharper, more angled lines. This exceptional example of interwar Belgian Art Deco resonates with the Symbolist intensity of Jan Toorop, while remaining unmistakably Verbanck in its clarity, craftsmanship, and emotional depth. The scale and presence make it equally suited for display on a large sideboard, as a stand-alone statement on a mezzanine, or as a commanding floor piece. Total measurements including base are mentioned in details - the plaster relief itself is 48 × 75 cm (18.9 × 29.5 in.) and is stable because Verbanck used an integrated wooden frame (see picture of the back). This was typical for Verbanck’s plaster works of this period. The original wooden supports are now perfectly fitted into a custom-made walnut base, ensuring stability. The base measures 64 × 22 cm (25.2 × 8.7 in.) and has a height of 7 cm (2.8 in.).
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 32.68 in (83 cm)Width: 24.81 in (63 cm)Depth: 3.94 in (10 cm)
  • Style:
    Art Deco (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1920s
  • Condition:
    Additions or alterations made to the original: Wooden custom made base made (Walnut). Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    EVERDINGEN, NL
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU8096246515122

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