Erté “The Bird Cage” Hand-Signed Limited Edition Serigraph, 1984, 103/300

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Description

A captivating hand-signed limited-edition serigraph by Erté (Romain de Tirtoff, 1892–1990), the legendary artist and designer whose unmistakable vision helped … Read more A captivating hand-signed limited-edition serigraph by Erté (Romain de Tirtoff, 1892–1990), the legendary artist and designer whose unmistakable vision helped define the elegance, theatricality, and decorative sophistication of the Art Deco era.

Titled The Bird Cage, this richly detailed composition draws upon an Erté design associated with Harper’s Bazaar in November 1915, as documented on the original Circle Gallery label retained on the reverse. The later limited-edition serigraph bears the embossed © 1984 C.F.A. Corp. mark of Circle Fine Art Corporation in the lower margin, establishing its 1984 production date and direct connection to the Circle Fine Art publishing and gallery network.

The composition is quintessential Erté: an exquisitely dressed woman appears in an elaborate feathered headdress, jeweled costume, and dramatic black wrap beside a vivid pink bird enclosed within an ornate gilded cage. The elongated figure, intricate costume, delicate linework, and refined palette of ivory, black, blush pink, pale blue, and gold embody the sophisticated theatricality for which Erté became internationally celebrated.

There is also an intriguing narrative quality to The Bird Cage. The relationship between the elegantly adorned woman, the brilliant bird, and the vertical bars surrounding them invites associations with beauty, display, freedom, and confinement, giving the image a psychological and theatrical dimension beyond straightforward fashion illustration.

Born Romain de Tirtoff in St. Petersburg in 1892, Erté moved to Paris at age twenty and adopted the name “Erté” from the French pronunciation of his initials, “R.T.” Over a career spanning more than eight decades, his work encompassed fashion illustration, haute couture, theater and opera costume, film, jewelry, sculpture, and the graphic arts. His long association with Harper’s Bazaar, beginning in 1915, produced some of the most enduring images of twentieth-century fashion and helped establish the elegant, elongated silhouettes and decorative glamour now inseparable from his name.

During the international revival of interest in Art Deco in the later twentieth century, many of Erté’s historic designs were revisited as signed limited-edition graphics. The Bird Cage beautifully bridges those two periods: its imagery reaches back to Erté’s early Harper’s Bazaar work, while the richly colored 1984 serigraph reflects the renewed enthusiasm for his designs during his celebrated late career.

This example is hand signed by Erté in pencil at the lower right and hand numbered 103/300 at the lower left. The lower margin also bears the embossed © 1984 C.F.A. Corp. mark of Circle Fine Art Corporation.

The reverse retains its original Circle Gallery inventory label, identifying the work as The Bird Cage, the medium as serigraph, and its connection to Erté’s Harper’s Bazaar imagery of November 1915. The label also records a historical gallery price of $6,600 and inventory number E405.

The work was acquired by the present owner’s family from the remaining inventory of a Los Angeles-area Circle Gallery during the 1980s, when the gallery was winding down operations. It was already framed and gallery-labeled at the time of acquisition and has remained in the same private family collection ever since.

Importantly, the artwork remains in the original custom gallery framing in which it was displayed and offered by Circle Gallery. A surviving Framex, Studio City, California label on the reverse identifies the framer responsible for the presentation. The substantial silver-tone frame, layered ivory matting, and silver inner fillet beautifully complement the refined palette and period character of the work.

The framed piece measures approximately 34 inches wide × 43 inches high × 1.5 inches deep. The visible opening within the mat measures approximately 21.5 inches wide × 29.5 inches high, while the actual printed image measures approximately 17.75 inches wide × 25.25 inches high. The artwork is protected beneath plexiglass.

Details:
Artist: Erté (Romain de Tirtoff, 1892–1990)
Title: The Bird Cage
Date: 1984
Medium: Limited-edition serigraph / screen print on paper
Edition: 103/300
Signature: Hand signed in pencil at lower right
Edition number: Hand numbered in pencil at lower left
Publisher mark: Embossed © 1984 C.F.A. Corp., Circle Fine Art Corporation
Source imagery: Harper’s Bazaar, November 1915, as identified on original Circle Gallery label
Provenance: Acquired from the remaining inventory of a Los Angeles-area Circle Gallery in the 1980s; retained in the same family collection since acquisition
Gallery documentation: Original Circle Gallery inventory label retained on verso
Historical gallery price: $6,600, as recorded on original Circle Gallery label
Framing: Original custom Circle Gallery-era framing; Framex, Studio City, California label retained on reverse
Glazing: Plexiglass
Overall dimensions: 34"W × 43"H × 1.5"D
Visible mat opening: 21.5"W × 29.5"H
Actual image size: 17.75"W × 25.25"H

Condition:
The serigraph itself is in very good vintage condition and presents beautifully, with vibrant color, crisp linework, and no visible fading or significant damage to the artwork.

The original gallery frame displays age-related cosmetic wear, including scattered scratches, rubbing, finish loss, and localized corner chipping, all documented in the detailed photographs. These imperfections are most apparent upon close inspection and are considerably less noticeable when the piece is displayed. Given that the frame is the original period gallery presentation, it has been retained rather than replaced.

The frame remains structurally sound and ready to hang.

Additional photographs and video are available upon request. See less