Y FERDINAND PREISS (1882-1943) 'ARCHER' (DIANA) FIGURE, CIRCA 1930

cold painted bronze, carved and painted ivory, onyx, inscribed F. PREISS, impressed to bronze PK (Dimensions: 33.8cm wide, 58.5cm high (overall), 52cm high (figure and plinth), 37cm high (figure only)) (33.8cm wide, 58.5cm high (overall), 52cm high (figure and plinth), 37cm high (figure only)) Footnote: Literature: Catley, B. Art Deco and other Figures, Woodbridge 2003, p.289Alberto Shayo, A. Ferdinand Preiss, Art Deco Sculptor, the fire and the flame, Woodbridge 2005, p.105 where the smaller version of this model is illustrated Note: At the beginning of the 20th Century the German Ferdinand Preiss established a company with Arthur Kassler known as Preiss-Kassler and until his death in 1943 he continued to design sculptures. Regarded as one of the most important Art Deco sculptors, he is acclaimed for his popular mixed media (chryselephantine) figures which were affordable to the middle class and appropriately sized for the home. His works were usually based on classical and mythical subjects, such as The Archer, circa 1925, which appears to represent Diana the huntress from Roman mythology. Amongst his other favoured subjects were idealised children, women at leisure sunbathing or holding parasols, or figures involved in sporting endeavours such as ice-skating, playing tennis, football or golf, or even javelin throwing. Preiss' Archer was executed in two sizes, the present lot representing one of only a few known examples of the rare larger variant. Note: Please be aware that this lot contains material that may be subject to import/export restrictions, especially outside the EU, due to CITES regulations. Please note it is the buyer's sole responsibility to obtain any relevant export or import licence. For more information visit http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla-en/imports-exports/cites/