Art Deco Advertising Statue for Cigarettes Copain, France, 1920s

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A rare and whimsical survivor from the golden age of commercial display, this French advertising statue for Cigarettes Copain dates … Read more A rare and whimsical survivor from the golden age of commercial display, this French advertising statue for Cigarettes Copain dates to the early 1920s and captures the exuberance of the Art Deco era with theatrical flair. Sculpted in plaster and hand-painted in vibrant hues, the figure stands proudly atop a red base emblazoned with gold lettering; his broad smile, puffed chest, and cigarette-in-mouth posture radiating confidence and charm.

Dressed in a green suit with a mustard-yellow waistcoat, the character evokes the dapper archetypes of postwar Parisian life, blending caricature with elegance. His exaggerated features and stylized stance suggest a playful nod to the visual language of cabaret and street theatre, while the craftsmanship reflects the artisanal quality typical of early 20th-century promotional sculpture.

Attributed to a period when advertising was as much about artistry as persuasion, this statue would have originally stood in a tobacconist’s shop or public venue, drawing the eye and sparking conversation. It has undergone minor professional restorations to preserve its vivid palette and structural integrity, ensuring its continued presence as a collector’s gem.

A delightful fusion of folk charm and Art Deco sophistication, ideal for collectors of advertising memorabilia, French decorative arts, or early 20th-century sculpture. See less