Featured Art Deco Bronze Sculpture Titled,"In The Arms Of Morpheus" By Amelia

I've had this sculpture about 15 years bought it from a barn sale,there was once an old label that had,"Bronze with Walnut base,titled,"In The Arms Of Morpheus by Amelia,the label was lost about 9 years ago,the bottom still has the name Amelia,I have researched and found nothing about artist,but the story is Morpheus is a mythology creature who was the god of sleep and dreams,he could take on the form of any human,this bronze is art deco I believe,,the lady appear to be nude lying in the arms of a winged creature,hope somebody know any information on this item,it's a wonderful old piece,I've never cleaned it.This is the second forum I believe I've had this piece on.

 

Afraid I don't see anything Art Deco about this.
I'm more inclined toward 1970s-80s. But wait for other comments.

 

The way the bottom is felted and signed makes me think this was a student piece. And that single wing is not only odd, but isn't of the same smoothness as the rest.

 

It's really an older piece.I had someone to look at it,I was told art deco.I have not cleaned the bronze.The base is walnut but I can't find just the name Amelia.The person who looked at it had no idea who the artist is.

 

Anyone open to the possibility that the bronze is indeed "older" (not art deco -- we'd guess post-war "modernist"), and it's the wooden base that's of much more recent origin and the only part of the assembly that's "By Amelia"?

 

could be from the art deco period, but looks more like Italian futurismo.

 

It is not strictly Art Deco in style, but I'm with Fid on the possibility of Futurism.
The term Futurism was first coined as a term for a new art movement in the early years of the 20th century. It influenced Art Deco and various other art forms of the first half of the 20h century.

In the Netherlands we use the term 'in Morpheus' arms' when referring to someone who is sleeping.

 

I like it. My personal guess would be 1940s-1950s, student piece (not going to find "Amelia" I don't think).

 

Futurism lasted until well into the 1940s, so who knows. Well Amelia does, but we can't ask her.

 

Doesn't look terribly old. Is "By Amelia" written in ink pen or ball point pen?

Debora

 

Couple of thoughts. Was the label that went missing handwritten? Could have been a descriptive label put on by a former owner, creator (or even at a store, etc.) If the label was more of a foil type, implying many pieces made by this artist, one would expect other pieces with her signature would turn up.

I have to say my first thought was late 1960s or 1970s with that walnut base.

Agreeing that the signature does not seem like something from the Art Deco era.

That said, these days a later piece might have equal if not more value. Lots of interest for 60s/70s --even 80s for some things.

Seems like opinions are all over the place on this one.

I do like it, too. Might not find the maker, but has an intriguing look.

 

A dead give away might be how it is attached to the base . You would have to remove the felt unless it is just glued to the wood base . If it is a threaded stud and a square nut , it would probably be much older than say, a conventional nut. if it is rusted , or is it zinc plated? if it is a screw, is it a Phillips or a slotted screw. The felt does look like it has some age , 40's or 50's or older, but I guess there is newer felt that has aged that way depending on what it sat on .

 

http://www.victorianweb.org/sculpture/wrs/29.html

The underlying image is something like this. Reynolds-Stephens' time was the Art Nouveau period. Maybe Amelia was channeling Henry Moore. Agree the way it is signed suggests an amateur.

 

It looks like someone else wrote it as a reminder, maybe after the original felt was lost or worn away? Who signs something 'by .....'?

 

Thank you! I've been wondering about that very thing and this is an excellent explanation.

Of course, no way to know if it's right, but I like it.

 

There is a square outline on top of the wood near where her knees are bent. Is that where the label was attached?

I agree with the thought that this was done by a student. Don't know about the date. Too bad you don't have the label any more, as that may have given more clues.

 

Figtree3 yes that little square outline was where the label was attached.I never removed the felt because the label was lost.

 

will you sell it ?

 

Yes,if I know what to sell it for.I've had items in the past I sold and it was woth more than what I sold it for.I just didn't have any information.I told this story to another person on this forum.I sold 2 drawings a long time ago to a man in Taiwan,everybody I talked to,told me it wasn't worth much so I sold both I belive around 350 or 450.When the man got it.he emailed me and said,thank you for those wonderful drawings 15th or 16th century buddah priest with a prayer.I have no idea what it's worth.

 

Happened across this tonight ... seems to be the same as yours, also with felt that says "By Amelia" - I don't think this is your listing though - the By Amelia looks slightly different. Just posting in case it might help you in any way although there doesn't seem to be any detailed info:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Art-Deco-Bronze-Figural-Sculpture-Art-Home-Decor-Accessory/283328024554