Items Similar to Jean-Gabriel Domergue's French Academician Sword
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8
Jean-Gabriel Domergue's French Academician Sword
About the Item
This important and unique sword was presented to the famed French painter Jean-Gabriel Domergue to commemorate the painter's election to the illustrious Académie des Beaux-Arts in 1950. One of the highest honors bestowed on a French artist, the ceremonial induction into the French Academy has been accompanied by the presentation of a sword since the age of Napoléon. Rather than a weapon, the sword became part of the Academician's uniform, and, over time, its design came to represent the interests and aspirations of its recipient. This example was designed entirely by Domergue's wife Odette, a great sculptor in her own right, and thus it represents both a highly personal gift and an important art historical relic.
The design of the sword is simply magnificent. Odette Domergue found her inspiration in antiquity, a theme that is also seen in the neoclassical sculptures that occupy the gardens of the couple's famous home, Villa Fiesole - also known as Villa Domergue - in Cannes. The impressive weapon boasts a solid gold handle that takes the form of a sinuous caryatid, who is nude save for a single swath of drapery. While the female figure recalls the sculpted supports prevalent in ancient Greek architecture, she also calls to mind the subjects for which Domergue was renowned - languorous, slightly risqué women with a seductive air.
Other decorative elements such as fauna, cypresses, and grotesque heads enhance the whimsy and imagination of the incredible neoclassical design. Furthermore, the scabbard that contains the finely etched blade is also an impeccable work of art. Crafted of black Moroccan leather in imitation of the snake skin, it displays intricately engraved foliage patterns with a lion's head and Domergue's coat of arms.
Though imagined by his wife, the sword was expertly chiseled by the celebrated goldsmith R. Delsinne and assembled by the atelier of the famed sculptor and medalist Raymond Delamarre. Celebrated for his sculptures in the Art Deco style, Delamarre created ceremonial Academician swords for just eight members of the French Academy - the present piece is among these select few. Executed with exceptional skill, it is a remarkable example of these unique and imaginative weapons, which are still being made today for the new members of France's distinguished academies.
A photograph showing Jean-Gabriel Domergue in his Academician uniform with the sword accompanies the piece, as well as a certificate of authenticity dated April 10, 2017 and signed by Mr. Noé Willer, member of the Alliance Européenne des Experts d'Art.
Signed at the base "O. DOMERGUE Scr" and "R. DELSINNE Cir"
Blade engraved "Jean Gabriel Domergue / de l'Académie des Beaux-Arts / 1950"
36" length x 4 1/4" wide x 1 7/8" high
- Creator:Odette Domergue (Maker),Raymond Delamarre (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 1.88 in (4.78 cm)Width: 4.25 in (10.8 cm)Depth: 36 in (91.44 cm)
- Style:Neoclassical (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New Orleans, LA
- Reference Number:Seller: 30-75931stDibs: LU891111170083
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Established in 1912
1stDibs seller since 2010
107 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 4 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: New Orleans, LA
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllSouth American Presentation Sword
Located in New Orleans, LA
Believed to have originated from the collection of a South American diplomat, the exquisiteness of this presentation sword conveys its ownership by ...
Category
Antique 19th Century South American Other Arms, Armor and Weapons
Materials
Steel, Brass, Bronze
$48,500 / set
French Nécessaire de Voyage
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional and rare French nécessaire de voyage is almost certainly the work of the highly respected Parisian manufacturer Pierre-Dominique ...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Crystal, Silver
$78,500
19th Century Swiss Gold Musical Vinaigrette
Located in New Orleans, LA
This early 19th century Swiss gold vinaigrette has the charming addition of a musical mechanism. The entire box is crafted of 14-karat yellow gold envelo...
Category
Antique 19th Century Swiss Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Gold, Enamel
Swiss Gold and Enamel Musical Vinaigrette
Located in New Orleans, LA
A musical movement distinguishes this wonderful early 19th-century gold vinaigrette box. The vessel is covered in delicate engraving highlighted by bl...
Category
Antique 19th Century Swiss Neoclassical Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
Joe DiMaggio's Presentation Desk Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
From the personal collection of the legendary Joe DiMaggio, this incredible vintage desk clock was presented to the Yankee Clipper by Harrah's for his par...
Category
20th Century Swiss Other Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Brass
Napoleonic Prisoner-of-War Guillotine
Located in New Orleans, LA
An incredible and extremely rare artifact of world history, this mutton bone model of a guillotine was created during the Napoleonic wars by a French prisoner of war. Many of the inmates at the prisoner of war camps were skilled artisans long before they were soldiers, and because of the long duration of the conflict and cost of care, their captors encouraged detainees to use their skills to create objects to be sold at civilian open markets. Because of the intricacy of these fascinating objets d'art, very few of these models have survived the test of time. This masterpiece is impeccably detailed with soldiers and cannons lining the platforms. Adding to the rarity of this piece is that it has moving parts, as only a scant few model carvings were ever created with such mechanical accuracy. The soldiers have movable arms, while the guillotine features a movable "blade" for added authenticity.
By many accounts, Napoleonic prisoners of war...
Category
Antique 19th Century French Models and Miniatures
Materials
Bone
You May Also Like
Artists Design Furniture by Denise Domergue
Located in valatie, NY
Artists Design Furniture by Denise Domergue. Harry N Abrams Inc. 1984. Hardcover with dust jacket. 176 pp. with 230 illustrations, 74 in full color. Describes a variety of chairs, so...
Category
Vintage 1980s American Books
Materials
Paper
Walking stick, gold, malachite handle, Signed Gabriel Falguieres. France 1900.
By Gabriel Falguieres
Located in Milan, IT
Walking stick: jeweled stick, milord-shaped knob with gold band and malchite cylinder with iron noble seal. Malacca wood barrel with 18K gold eyelets for wrist cord. Horne ferrule. Signed Gabriel Falguieres.
Gabriel Falguières created excellent Art Nouveau jewelry. We know that Falguières collaborated with the Parisian jeweler Alphonse Auger (La Maison Auger...
Category
Early 20th Century French Collectible Jewelry
Materials
Malachite, Gold, Iron
French Model 1855 Army Officers Sword with Scabbard
Located in Victoria, BC
This is an original French Model 1855 Army Officer’s Sword, complete with its full-length steel scabbard. Used during the mid-to-late 19th century, this regulation sidearm was standa...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Arms, Armor and Weapons
Materials
Steel
Portrait Miniature Jean-Baptiste Couvelet, French, 1772-1830
Located in Firenze, IT
SHIPPING POLICY:
No additional costs will be added to this order.
Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included).
A girl, head and shoulders, her da...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Models and Miniatures
Materials
Oak
Miguel Berrocal Catalog Raisonné by Jean-Louis Ferrier, France, 1989
By Miguel Berrocal
Located in Barcelona, ES
Miguel Berrocal book by Jean-Louis Ferrier for Editions de la Différence, Paris, France, 1989. Catalog raisonné of the sculpture of Miguel Berrocal. Text in French with descriptions ...
Category
Vintage 1980s French Modern Books
Materials
Paper
Moments with Jackie by Jean Mills Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moments with Jackie by Jean Mills hardcover book
Barnes & Noble Books, 1999 - Celebrities - 120 pages.
Stunning black-and-white photography accompanies a close-up portrait of Jacqu...
Category
Late 20th Century American American Classical Books
Materials
Paper
