The Spirit of the Dance (or Nymph and Faun)
Repoussé relief panel • Unknown artisanal workshop; possibly European (French or Hungarian) or American decorative arts
Style & Movement
Art Deco
Medium & Technique
Hand-hammered copper (repoussé and chasing)
Creation Period
Mid-20th Century (c. 1930s-1950s)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 20 inches; Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A stylized female figure in a dynamic, rhythmic dance pose, partially draped or adorned with beaded jewelry. She holds a secondary smaller figure or drapery above her head. The composition is filled with geometric patterns, zigzag borders, and stylized foliage characteristic of Art Deco ornamentation.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; visible surface oxidation and minor dents
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $350
Auction Estimate
$100 - $250
Provenance History
Likely private collection; representative of decorative wall plaques popular in middle-class interiors during the mid-century period.
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of the democratization of Art Deco design, where high-style motifs were translated into accessible decorative metalwork for domestic interiors.
Notable Features
Highly detailed chasing work on the figure's jewelry and the background foliage; rhythmic 'stepping' of the background borders provides a strong sense of movement.
Condition Issues
Surface tarnish (verdigris/oxidation), minor abrasions to the high points of the relief, and slight warping of the copper sheet edges.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning to stabilize oxidation if desired, though many collectors prefer the aged patina. Mount in a shadowbox frame to protect thin edges.