Ah, by my Computations, People say. . .

  Reduce the Year to better reckoning?—Nay, 

 'Twas only striking from the Calendar 

 Unborn To-morrow and dead Yesterday.

Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, Translated by Edward Fitzgerald

Omar Khayyam (1048–1131), a Persian astronomer, mathematician, and philosopher, is probably best known in the Western world for The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, a book of poetic quatrains attributed to Khayyam as translated by Edward Fitzgerald in 1859. However, Khayyam calculated the solar year with extraordinary accuracy and designed a solar calendar, which was the basis for the Persian calendar that still in use today. It is therefore tempting to think that the distinguished Arabic gentleman sitting by the calendar in this unusual antique is in commemoration of Khayyam, but it is more an example of Orientalism in the decorative arts.

    The Middle East has long held a fascination for the West, which often viewed it as a decadent dreamland ruled by sultans surrounded by dark-eyed harem beauties, where slave girls danced in shimmering veils and markets offered rare spices and jewels. Antione Galland's 1709 translation of One Thousand and One Nights engendered a passion for the exotic East as imagined by westerners, with Arabic and Persian inspired images appearing in operas and plays, art, architecture, fabric, and furnishings. This was dubbed "Orientalism." By the mid-1800s, the Middle East became more accessible to Western tourists and Orientalism in art and decor promised an imaginary respite from the proprieties of Victorian life. Beginning in the mid-19th century, Austria became the center of many foundries and ateliers producing finely crafted artistic sculptures in bronze and spelter. These workshops created works, often in miniature, covering a vast variety of subjects, from animals, genre and classical scenes, comic subjects, erotic themes, and, of course, Orientalist images. Some of these sculptures were purely decorative, a way for the owner to subtly project wealth and taste, but others, like this beautifully-crafted calendar, also has a functional purpose. Cast in spelter, the piece is lavishly decorated in polychrome. Although unsigned, it is very typical of the Orientalist pieces produced in Austria. 

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

17201-123

Joan of Arc, They are Calling You

Joan of Arc, Joan of Arc,

Do your eyes, from the skies, see the foe?

Don't you see the drooping Fleurdelis?

Can't you hear the tears of Normandy?

Joan of Arc, Joan of Arc,

Let your spirit guide us through;

Come lead your France to victory;

Joan of Arc, they are calling you. 

"Joan of Arc, They are Calling You" (1917),  

Jack Wells, Al Bryan, and Willie Weston

This superb sculpture captures Joan of Arc (Jeanne d’Arc in French), French heroine and Catholic saint, as she rallies French troops during the final phase of the Anglo-French Hundred Years' War. Born in 1412 to a peasant family, she claimed to have received visions of the archangel Michael, Saint Margaret, and Saint Catherine of Alexandria instructing her to fight in support of King Charles VII and free France from English domination. At the age of 17, Joan met with Charles, then the dauphin. Charles granted Joan's request to be placed at the head of his army. After a series of victories, Charles VII was consecrated as king. However, Joan was captured in 1430 by a faction of French nobles allied with the English and handed over to the English for trial. She was convicted of heresy and burned at the stake in 1431. Joan was later declared innocent by a tribunal authorized by Pope Callixtus III and canonized in 1920. 

The finely detailed sculpture beautifully portrays the young Maid of Orleans armored and ready for battle atop a spirited steed.

The sculpture is after a work by French sculptor August Moreau (1855-1915), renown for his romantic, allegorical, or historic images. He was a member of a celebrated family of French artists, beginning with his father, Jean-Baptiste Moreau. August exhibited regularly at the Paris Salon and his creations were popular with the public, often reproduced in various sizes and materials.

Of bronze-clad spelter, the statue is stamped the back of the base "Fabrication Francaise * Made in France * Paris." This foundry operated from the 1890s to just before WWI. 

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New but things can sell quickly!

230-8246

Tripping the Light Fantastic

This light is a deco delight!  Under an alabaster shade, a lithe lovely lady dances in an exotic costume.  She is "Danseuse Des Indies" by Spanish sculptor Ignacio Gallo (deceased 1935) and is part of a lamp attributed to the American company JB Hirsch.  The company was founded in 1907 by Romanian metal smith Joseph B. Hirsch and imported many parts from French foundries.  After WWII, the company purchased a cache of hundreds of prewar molds and cast pieces from bankrupt French foundries.  While the original sculptures would have been made of bronze with carved ivory faces, Hirsch cast the molds in spelter (a zinc alloy) and often used "ivorine" (celluloid) for the features,  assembling them in creative art deco-inspired lamps.  

This graceful dancer, often referred to as the "pixie" by collectors, is enameled spelter with a painted ivorine face and is framed by three metal pillars.  The base is alabaster.  This unique and luxurious lamp will light up any room it adorns, both figurally and literally!