Jean Dunand Bronze Serpent Attaquant
Regular price
$42,500
This exquisite bronze sculpture by Jean Dunand depicts a cobra attacking its prey. Both Dunand and Brandt explored serpent motifs within the broader Orientalist vocabulary of the period. The 1920s wave of Egyptomania, ignited by the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb, made the cobra—emblematic of the Egyptian royal uraeus—a potent symbol of exoticism and power and an increasingly prominent decorative theme. Though Dunand is best known for his pioneering work in lacquer, his training as a sculptor is evident in the incisive modeling of the snakes, and his assured handling of metal underscores his technical mastery. Each serpent was cast in bronze, its scales meticulously chased. This model was likely produced in a limited edition for discerning collectors, embodying the era’s fascination with both technical virtuosity and ancient iconography. This sculpture is also in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Item #: YB-22064
Artist: Jean Dunand
Country: France
Circa: 1914
Dimensions: 7" height, 5" width, 3" depth.
Materials: Bronze
Signed: Jean Dunand on the underside
Literature: Marcilhac, Felix. 1991. Jean Dunand Vie et Oeuvre. Paris: L’Amateur. p. 273 no. 664
Item #: YB-22064
Artist: Jean Dunand
Country: France
Circa: 1914
Dimensions: 7" height, 5" width, 3" depth.
Materials: Bronze
Signed: Jean Dunand on the underside
Literature: Marcilhac, Felix. 1991. Jean Dunand Vie et Oeuvre. Paris: L’Amateur. p. 273 no. 664
Jean Dunand played a pivotal role in early 20th-century sculpture by bridging the gap between traditional craftsmanship and the emerging aesthetics of modernism. Trained as a classically skilled metalsmith, he brought sculpture into the realm of luxury arts through his mastery of dinanderie—hammered, patinated, and lacquered copper vessels that he elevated from functional objects to sculptural masterpieces. Dunand approached each piece as a fusion of form and surface, often creating bold, geometric silhouettes enriched with meticulously applied lacquer or incised patterns. His collaborations with leading artists and designers of the Art Deco era positioned him at the forefront of the movement, and his sculptural work—ranging from stylized figurative pieces to monumental decorative panels—helped define the sleek, streamlined visual language of the period. Through his innovations, Dunand expanded the definition of sculpture itself, proving that artistry and craftsmanship could coexist powerfully in modern design.
Jean Dunand played a pivotal role in early 20th-century sculpture by bridging the gap between traditional craftsmanship and the emerging aesthetics of modernism. Trained as a classically skilled metalsmith, he brought sculpture into the realm of luxury arts through his mastery of dinanderie—hammered, patinated, and lacquered copper vessels that he elevated from functional objects to sculptural masterpieces. Dunand approached each piece as a fusion of form and surface, often creating bold, geometric silhouettes enriched with meticulously applied lacquer or incised patterns. His collaborations with leading artists and designers of the Art Deco era positioned him at the forefront of the movement, and his sculptural work—ranging from stylized figurative pieces to monumental decorative panels—helped define the sleek, streamlined visual language of the period. Through his innovations, Dunand expanded the definition of sculpture itself, proving that artistry and craftsmanship could coexist powerfully in modern design.
