$275.00
Antique Bronze Jester with Bakelite Face, Playing Mandolin on Marble Base
Approximately 4.1/4 inches tall and 1.5 inches wide (widest part of bottom of base).
Small Art Deco Jester with Mandolin – Bronze and Composite
Year: Circa 1920–1935
History:
This small figural sculpture is characteristic of the Art Deco period, particularly popular in France and Central Europe during the 1920s and 1930s. Depicting a Pierrot- or jester-style performer holding a mandolin, the figure evokes themes of theater, melancholy, and romantic performance that were central to interwar European decorative arts. The form echoes the stylized works of sculptors like Demétre Chiparus and Josef Lorenzl, who blended theatrical themes with fashionable Deco lines. While unsigned, the piece likely originated from a decorative foundry producing bronze and spelter figurines for the continental market.
Description:
Cast bronze or spelter figure of a jester or clown (Pierrot type) playing a mandolin
Standing pose with one foot forward; mounted on a polished onyx or alabaster base
Sculpted costume with flared collar and pointed shoes
Composite or celluloid face (not ivory) with smooth finish, possibly cold-painted remnants
Approximate height: 5.5–6 inches including base
No visible maker’s mark; typical of Austrian or French decorative foundries
The piece holds appeal as an Art Deco decorative object, and its small scale makes it desirable to collectors with limited space. Value is influenced by the theatrical subject matter, condition (particularly the integrity of the composite face and instrument), and quality of casting. Ivory substitutes or early plastics in facial modeling are ordinary and necessary for U.S. legal compliance in resale. Provenance and patina also affect desirability.
Comparable Sales:
Similar Art Deco bronze jester w/ mandolin, alabaster base – $240 (Fontaine’s Auction, 2022)
Excellent condition
Please use the zoom feature to see the detail of the jester, his face, and the flower by his feet. :)
Will be shipped USPS Priority Mail, with tracking, included with price.
All sales are final. Non-refundable.
1-3 business days
I'll do my best to meet these shipping estimates, but can't guarantee them. Actual delivery time will depend on the shipping method you choose.
Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.