Art Deco Lead Sculpture of Joan of Arc in the Manner of Eric Gill

Details

Description

Art Deco Lead Sculpture of Joan of Arc in the Manner of Eric Gill, circa 1920s
Description
A striking Art … Read more Art Deco Lead Sculpture of Joan of Arc in the Manner of Eric Gill, circa 1920s
Description
A striking Art Deco lead sculpture of Joan of Arc, styled in the manner of Eric Gill (1882–1940), circa 1920s. This evocative hollow-cast figure presents the Maid of Orléans in a stylised, contemplative form, combining spiritual intensity with the refined simplification associated with British inter-war modernist sculpture.

Seated upon an integral geometric base, the figure is rendered with bold restraint. The elongated neck, cropped hair, simplified facial features and upward-turned head create a powerful sense of vision and devotion. Rather than pursuing literal realism, the sculptor has emphasised mood, symbolism and form, resulting in a work of strong presence and timeless character.

The surface retains a beautifully aged patina, with natural oxidation, wear and subtle variation throughout, all consistent with age and material. Hollow-cast in lead, the sculpture has considerable weight and substance despite its cabinet-sized scale, making it highly displayable in both traditional and contemporary interiors.

Joan of Arc remains one of the most enduring figures in European history. A peasant girl who claimed divine guidance, she played a decisive role in the Hundred Years’ War before being captured and executed in 1431. Canonised in 1920, she inspired renewed artistic interest in the early twentieth century, particularly among sculptors working in a symbolic and spiritual modernist idiom.

This sculpture bears notable stylistic affinities with Eric Gill and the wider circle of British inter-war religious modernist sculptors. While not signed and not formally attributed, it should be appreciated as an accomplished work in that manner, reflecting the simplified elegance and devotional seriousness associated with the period.

Measurements
Height: 38.5 cm
Width: 18.5 cm
Depth: 22.5 cm

Weight
8.35 kg

Provenance
Private collection, United Kingdom.
Antique dealer from Lancashire.
Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD.

Why this piece stands out
This is a rare and atmospheric Art Deco sculpture with excellent decorative presence, strong historical associations and compelling sculptural form. It will appeal to collectors of Art Deco, Modernist, Symbolist and religious sculpture, and it displays beautifully as a standalone statement piece. See less