Art Deco ormolu and onyx figure of a dancer by Josef Lorenzl

Designed and made by a renowned Austrian sculptor and ceramicist, Josef Lorenzl (1892-1950) the sculpture depicts a charming young woman dancing.

The slender ormolu female figure is cast in a mid-dancing, careless pose. She is standing on one leg, the other raised high up above the plinth. Her arms are extended to the front and side. Lorenzl depicted the figure with her head up towards the sky and with eyes closed, as if in a dreamlike state. The figure is dressed in a short dress and flat shoes, typical in style for the Art Deco period.

A cylindrical onyx plinth and a semi-circular base support the free-spirited dancer. Such design and material choice employed for the stand are typical of the sculptor. The stone is predominantly coloured in shades of light green. Naturally occurring patterns in tones of brown, orange and cream create a beautiful synergy between the gold bronze and the base.

The piece is signed ‘LORENZL’ on the bronze base from which the female figure grows.

Josef Lorenzl created pieces during the Art Deco period in Austria. He was fascinated by the female form and became famous for sculptures depicting dancing girls with long legs and eyes closed, such as the superb piece in Mayfair Gallery’s collection. He began his career working at a foundry in the Vienna Arsenal, where he developed his knowledge about bronze casting.

The high quality of finish, interesting design and well-known maker make this sculpture a very desirable addition to one’s collection of Art Deco sculptures.