Marcel Bouraine (Signed “Matto”) Bronze Dancer Lamp on Portoro Marble Base, France, 1920s

Marcel Bouraine (Signed “Matto”) Bronze Dancer Lamp on Portoro Marble Base, France, 1920s

This exquisite French Art Deco bronze sculpture, signed “Matto”—the rare pseudonym used by renowned sculptor Marcel Bouraine—is a dynamic and elegant work from the 1920s. Depicting two young women mid-dance, each gracefully holding a tambourine, the figures encircle a glowing central light rendered in mottled French cameo glass. Together, the composition radiates both movement and harmony, emblematic of the era’s fascination with rhythm, modernity, and feminine beauty.

The finely cast bronze figures feature a delicate silver-gilt finish, highlighting their sleek lines and giving them a luminous quality. Their stepped base is crafted from luxurious Portoro marble, celebrated for its deep black coloration and dramatic golden veining. This rare stone was prized during the Art Deco period for its opulence and bold visual contrast, and it lends additional weight and sophistication to the sculpture.

Marcel Bouraine (1886–1948) was a celebrated figure of the Art Deco movement, admired for his work in bronze and his unique ability to capture fluidity and form. While he more frequently signed works under his name, Bouraine occasionally used the alias “Matto,” making this signed piece an especially collectible example of his artistry. His sculptures—including statuettes, lighting, bookends, and radiator mascots—embody the spirit of interwar Paris and remain highly sought after by collectors worldwide.