Romanian sculptor Demetre Chiparus — who is sometimes referred to as Dumitru Chiparus or Dimitri Chiparus — was a renowned Art Deco-era artist most often associated with realism. He initially created sculptures that featured small children. As his work began to mature, he continued to create figurative sculptures but shifted his focus, and his output was marked by an appreciation for the lithe female form — a popular subject during the 1920s. Chiparus was later known for his animal sculptures, too.
Chiparus lived comfortably as an artist owing in part to his family fortune. At the age of 23, he moved to Italy and began his formal art and sculpting studies under Italian sculptor Raffaello Romanelli. Following his time in Italy, he moved to Paris where he attended L'École des Beaux-Arts. He studied under sculptors Antonin Mercie and Jean Boucher. He was inspired by the Russian Ballet, French theater and early motion pictures.
Though he wouldn’t sell many of his pieces during his lifetime, Chiparus was well known for his bright and colorful busts and sculptures featuring dancing ladies. He was equally inspired by the discovery of King Tut’s tomb — a common influence for designers and artists of the Art Deco era — which is obvious in his references to Egyptian themes in his decorative objects and other realist works.
Chiparus worked with a combination of ivory and bronze to create chryselephantine sculptures, a method and type of sculpture that was particularly popular during the Archaic period. The bases of his pieces were typically made of marble or onyx and he adorned his life-like subjects with vibrant enamel that lent a touch of whimsicality to his art.
Chiparus exhibited his works at the Salon of 1914 and lived in Paris until his death. A range of his sculptures is held in the permanent collection of the Museo Art Nouveau and Art Deco in Spain.
Find original Demetre Chiparus decorative objects, sculptures and other works on 1stDibs.
An Art Deco Terracotta Elephant Sculpture by Demetre Chiparus circa 1930
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Sleepy Hollow, NY
A rare Art Deco terracotta group of walking elephants by Demetre Chiparus, France, circa 1920. Molded terracotta with carved cow bone tusks. The composition depicts a trumpeting fe...
Terracotta
Demetre Chiparus Art Deco Terracotta Elephant Sculpture, circa 1930
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Atlanta, GA
Demétre Chiparus, Rare Art Deco Terracotta Sculpture of Walking Elephants, France, circa 1920 An exquisite and rare terracotta sculpture by the celebrated Art Deco artist Demétre Chi...
Terracotta
$13,000
H 12.6 in W 29.53 in D 6.3 in
Demetre Chiparus 'Echo' Sculpture, Spelter & Onyx, Art Deco, 1920
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
An exceptional French Art Deco sculpture by renowned sculptor Demetre Chiparus (1886–1947), titled Echo, created during the 1920s. This highly sought-after model depicts a graceful y...
Onyx, Marble, Spelter
Art Deco Style Cold-Painted Dancer Sculpture After Demetre Chiparus
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Yonkers, NY
A captivating sculpture after Demetre Chiparus, this striking Art Deco dancer embodies the era’s fascination with movement, theatricality, and opulence. Inspired by the expressive pe...
Composition, Metal
$5,667
H 23.63 in Dm 14.57 in
Art Deco Gold Painted Bronze Figure "Phoenician Dancer" by Demetre Chiparus
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Dancer by Demétre Chiparus 1886 - 1947 Large chrysoelephantine sculpture in gilt bronze Marble base. Signed "D. H. Chiparus". Measures: 52 cms. with base and 42cm alt. total and 24 c...
Bronze
$11,594
H 20.28 in W 9.45 in D 5.91 in
Early 20th Century Art Deco Bronze entitled "Le Reveil" by Demetre Chiparus
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in London, GB
Enchanting early 20th Century Art Deco cold painted silver bronze figure of a standing woman holding her arms high above her in a stretched pose, exhibiting excellent colour and fin...
Bronze
$6,996Sale Price|30% Off
H 17.5 in W 11 in D 3 in
Demetre Haralamb Chiparus (1886 - 1947), Art Deco Dancer Bronze Sculpture
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Germantown, MD
Demetre Haralamb Chiparus (French/Romanian 1886 - 1947), Art Deco Dancers, Bronze Sculpture On Marble Plinth. Demétre H Chiparus Antique Bronze Art Deco Dancer...
Marble, Bronze
$7,999
H 13 in W 10.44 in D 5.32 in
Demetre Chiparus - Art Deco Bronze Sculpture Lamp France c. 1925 "Delhi Dancer"
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Demétre Chiparus - An Art Deco bronze sculpture Table Lamp, France circa 1925 "Delhi Dancer", the bronze dancer mounted on a substantial brown marble base with an illuminated honey o...
Marble, Bronze
Demetre Chiparus Terracotta Lady Bust Sculpture, 1920
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Art Deco Terracotta Sculpture by Demetre Chiparus, Young Lady with Lamb, France, 1920s This exceptional French Art Deco terracotta sculpture by Demetre Chiparus captures the ...
Terracotta
Art Deco Bronze Figure Dancer by Demetre Chiparus
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Dancer by Demétre Chiparus (1886 - 1947) Large chrysoelephantine sculpture in gilt bronze Marble base. Signed "D. H. Chiparus". Measures: 52 cms. alt. total and 17 cms. diam. base...
Bronze
Art Deco Style Bronze Sculpture Of A Dancer After Demetre Chiparus
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is an Art Deco Style Bronze Sculpture of a Dancer after Demetre Chiparus. It depicts a bronze sculpture of a dancer in an elegant pose wearing an exotic costume ( the Bedlah ). ...
Bronze
$9,974
H 27.56 in W 3.94 in D 15.75 in
Demètre H. Chiparus Silvered Bronze Sculpture – Art Deco Masterpiece
Located in Madrid, ES
Original silvered bronze sculpture by Demètre H. Chiparus (Romanian, 1886–1947), a renowned Art Deco sculptor based in Paris. Mounted on an elegant marble base, this exquisite piece ...
Bronze
Terracotta Sculpture Entitled “Dreaming” Signed D.H CHIPARUS
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Beirut, LB
D. H. Chiparus Art Deco Terracotta sculpture entitled 'Dreaming' of a naked woman sitting on an inclined lot with her knees partially bent towards her. She is leaning forward a litt...
Terracotta
$3,999
H 9.06 in W 8.86 in D 4.73 in
Demetre Chiparus Rare Bronze Sculpture Group "Seating Pretty" 3 Children Version
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Rare 3 children version of DH Chiparus "Sitting Prety" sculpture. Bronze Sculpture on marble base. Signed in the marble. Excellent condition. French. Circa...
Marble, Bronze
Sold
H 14.18 in W 29.14 in D 6.3 in
Art Deco Bronze Panther Sculpture by Demetre Chiparus, France, 1920s
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Milano, IT
An important Art Deco bronze and marble base sculpture depicting a prowling panther by the French artist Demetre Chiparus, France, 192...
Marble, Bronze
Art Deco Sculpture of a Panther by Demetre Chiparus France 1930
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Antwerp, BE
Art Deco sculpture of a panther by Demetre Chiparus. Art metal with beautiful patina on a marble base with inlay. France 1930. This panther is illustrated in: Chiparus master of Art Deco, A. Shayo. General information: Art Deco and other figures, Brian Catley. Art Deco sculpture, Victor Arwas, Academy. Bronzes, sculptors and founders, H. Berman, Abage. Dictionnaire des peintres, sculpteurs, dessinateurs et graveurs, E. Benezit. Gründ Dictionnaire illustré des sculpteurs animaliers & fondeurs de l’antiquité à nos jours, Jean Charles Hachet. Argus Valentines; The dictionary of sculptors in bronze, James Mackay...
Marble, Metal
Art Deco bronze sculpture of a panther by Demetre Chiparus, 1930.
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Antwerp, BE
Art Deco bronze sculpture of a panther by Demetre Chiparus. Patinated bronze sculpture on a Portor marble base. Signed and with founders signature Editions Reveyrolis Paris, marked...
Marble, Bronze
Art Deco Sculpture of a Panther by Demetre Chiparus France 1930
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Antwerp, BE
Art Deco sculpture of a panther by Demetre Chiparus. Art metal with beautiful patina on a marble base with inlay. France 1930. This panther is illustrated in: Chiparus master o...
Marble, Metal
Sold
H 13.59 in W 29.53 in D 6.7 in
Art Deco Sculpture of Panther by Demetre Chiparus on Marble Base France 1930
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Antwerp, BE
Art Deco sculpture of a panther by the famous Demetre Chiparus on a Belgian Black marble base. Literature: Art Deco and other figures by Brian Catley.?Art Deco sculpture by Victor ...
Belgian Black Marble, Metal
Art Deco Panther Sculpture by Demetre H. Chiparus, 1930s
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Bochum, NRW
An original Art Deco spelter figure of a stalking panther, wonderful patina, on a Portoro marble base. Signed 'D.H. Chiparus'. Very good condition, m...
Marble, Bronze, Spelter
Sold
H 18.12 in W 25.6 in D 5.52 in
D.H.Chiparus Elephants Art Deco Terracotta Sculpture Editions Reveyrollis, Paris
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Sofia, BG
Demetre Chiparus (1888-1950). Elephants Art Deco terracotta sculpture editions Reveyrollis, Paris.
Terracotta
Chiparus Art Deco Figural Group 'Friends' Lady with Goats
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Sofia, BG
Chiparus Demeter H. (1886-1947): Young woman with goats. Group in patinated and polychrome regulates, head and arms in ivoreen on onyx base. Signed. Measures: High 46.5 cm, long 85...
Onyx
Sold
H 18.9 in W 33.08 in D 7.09 in
Fine Authentic Art Deco Figural Group “Friends” by Demetre Chiparus
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Sofia, BG
A fine cold painted spelter and ivoreen Art Deco figural group by Demetre Chiparus (1886-1947), a woman in a flowing green dress and a modish cloche, with ivoreen arms and painted fa...
Spelter
Sold
H 9.45 in W 19.69 in D 6.3 in
Art Deco ‘Attacking Panther’ Large Authentic Sculpture by D.H.Chiparus, 1920
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Sofia, BG
Splendid animal sculpture of Art Deco period "ATTACKING PANTHER", signed: D.H. CHIPARUS, subject in cast iron art with antique green hammered patina with bronze highlights - on base in solid black portor marble. A rare and magnificent work of anthology. We can only admire this dangerous panther, fiery and attacking, with its grandiose elegant and spectacular presence - a majestic and mythical feline for an iconic creation of excellent quality. Demetre Haralamb Chiparus...
Marble, Bronze, Iron
Fine Ivoreen Art Deco Figural Group by Demetre Chiparus
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Sofia, BG
A fine cold painted spelter and ivoreen Art Deco figural group by Demetre Chiparus (1886-1947), a woman in a flowing green dress and a modish clo...
Spelter
Sold
H 13.39 in W 29.53 in D 6.3 in
Art Deco Panther Sculpture Demetre H. Chiparus 1930 Impressive Size France
By Demetre Chiparus
Located in Antwerp, BE
Large Art Deco sculpture of a panther by the famous sculptor Demetre H. Chiparus. The Art metal sculpture has a beautiful green patina and stands on a Portor marble base, France, 193...
Marble, Metal