‘Spring Awakening’
(also known as ‘INVOCATION’)
By Ferdinand Preiss (1882-1943) Circa 1920
A bronze and ivory female bare-breasted
dancer wearing a gold coloured tunic, with
a cloak draped over her arms, hanging in
deep folds to the ground. She is wearing
a pair of low-healed shoes, and stands on
a rough bronze circular base, which tops an
eight-sided portoro marble base. Her hands,
torso, head and legs are in ivory.
The cloak is patinated in a pale
blue over a silver ground.
Height: 35.6 cms
Signatures: Engraved ‘F Preiss’
on the bronze base.
Reference: (i) Bryan Catley, Art Deco
and Other Figures, Antique Collectors’ Club,
London, 1978, pictured p. 252.
(ii) Alberto Shayo, Ferdinand Preiss,
Art Deco Sculptor, The fire
and the flame, Antique Collectors’ Club, 2005
pictured p. 179.
(iii) Victor Arwas, Art Deco
Sculpture, London, 1992,
pictured p. 184 and 185.