Large Art Deco sculpture in patinated bronze and terracotta – signed Ugo Cipria

Important Art Deco sculpture representing a male athlete in full action, work signed by Ugo Cipriani (1887–1960), a major sculptor of the Art Deco period, active in France during the interwar years. The sculpture is made of solid terracotta, covered with a high-quality antique patina imitating bronze, giving the whole piece a visual appearance and presence similar to that of metal. This type of finish was commonly used in French workshops in the 1920s-1930s for presentation works, finished models, or decorative sculptures intended for prestigious interiors. Elements attesting to authenticity: U. Cipriani signature integrated into the material, Marked Made in France, Numbering 1637, Quality of modelling, anatomy, and dynamism characteristic of Cipriani's work, Homogeneous antique patina deeply integrated into the surface. The sculpture is made of ceramic (terracotta) and not bronze casting, a factor clearly taken into account in the evaluation. Its significant size, the density of the terracotta, the quality of the patina, and the signature of a recognised sculptor explain its positioning in the high-end market for Art Deco terracotta.