Lot 7166
Josef Lorenzl (Austrian, 1892-1950), Gilt Bronze Dancer
Lot Details & Additional Photographs
21 x 11 x 5 in.
Private Collection, Emerald Isle, North Carolina
Josef Lorenzl was a prolific sculptor working in bronze and ceramics during the Art Deco Period. He focused primarily on the female form, utilizing the period's geometric forms, bold lines, and celebration of graceful movement that characterized the spirit of the era. Like his contemporaries, including Ferdinand Preiss (1882-1943) and Demetre Chiparus (1886-1947), he often worked in "chryselephantine" technique, a method that combined bronze and ivory. His work showcased a remarkable balance between realism and stylization, showcasing his technical prowess and artistic vision.
Lorenzl started his career at a foundry in the Vienna Arsenal, a military storage complex located in the south-eastern part of Vienna, where he learned the techniques of bronze casting. During the peak of his career in the 1920s and 1930s, Lorenzl worked closely with the renowned Austrian ceramic manufacturer Goldscheider, where he had a studio on company grounds. His collaboration with the company resulted in a prolific body of work, with his sculptures being produced both as standalone pieces and as decorative elements for lamps and vases. These collaborations contributed to the popularity and recognition of Lorenzl's sculptures among collectors and enthusiasts. He also was employed by two other Viennese companies, Porzellanfabrik Hertwig & Co. and Keramos Porcelain. After his death on August 15, 1950, in Vienna, it is noted that his wife, Anna (Njura) Lorenzl, destroyed many of his figurines, possibly in effort to reduce later castings.
Rubbing to gilt surface; onyx plinth cylinder with chip to lower cylinder; tight hairline and small chips to lower onyx base edge; some casting lines visible to the shoulder intrinsic to the making.
