On the Wednesday 20th of June, PIASA will be presenting in the context of the Selected Design auction the sculptures transformed into lamps by Agathon Léonard and in particular « La Danseuse à l’Echarpe » (The Dancer with the Scarf) realized in 1900.
Lot 11 - Agathon Léonard (1841-1923)
Danseuse à l'écharpe
Estimation : 18 000 - 25 000 €
Agathon Léonard (1841-1923) is a renowned Art Nouveau Belgian sculptor. He dedicated most of his work to the feminine figure, that he constantly imprinted with elegancy and perfection. The technical prowess of his work was firstly recognized after the 1900 Universal Exhibition, with Alexandre Sandier’s order for the Sèvres manufactory. It consisted of a porcelain biscuit table composed with fifteen dancers’ statuettes independent of each other. The manufactory commercialized the statues afterwards.
« La Danseuse à l’Echarpe » is a willowy silhouette covered by a fine transparent pleated dress with flared sleeves. The woman’s figure is slightly inclined and displays a gentle and peaceful look. Her hair adornment fills her with elegance. In each of her hands she is holding the ends of a scarf, lifted by the wind, which gives airiness and freedom to the object. The dancer reminds us in many ways of the feminine figures that marked the Neo-antique sculptures.
Lot 10 - Agathon Léonard (1841-1923)
Danseuse au tambourin
Estimation : 18 000 - 25 000 €
The same type of pleats is found again and gives volatility to the statuettes of lot n°10 « Danseuse au Tambourin » (Dancer with a Tambourine) and lot n°9 « Danseuse au Cothurne » (Dancer with a Cothurnus) in which the woman is in movement wearing a much more pleated dress.
Lot 9 - Agathon Léonard (1841-1923)
Danseuse au cothurne
Estimation : 18 000 - 25 000 €
These sculptures were edited by Susse Frères in golden bronze and then mounted as electric lamps, carefully hiding the lightbulb in the scarf in the case of « La Danseuse à l’Echarpe ». It can be compared to « La Danseuse à l’Echarpe n°12 » realized by the same artist in 1900 in porcelaine biscuit as a part of Alexandre Sandier’s order. Two original terracotta drafts of this dancer have been bought by the Petit Palais.
