The Archer by Alexandre Kelety –Art Deco Masterpiece France
Item # 3832 SOLD
Measurements
43" T x 12" W
Alexandre Kelety (1893-1961) was an exceptional sculptor, and his The Archer (Tireur à l’arc) stands as one of the most significant bronze statues of the Art Deco era. Created in the late 1920s to early 1930s, this striking work is remarkable for its artistic brilliance and its monumental size of 43 inches or 110cm, an exceptionally ambitious scale for a bronze of this period.
Edited by ETLING, the prestigious Parisian foundry responsible for some of the finest Art Deco bronzes—including those of Demetre Chiparus and Claire Colinet—this sculpture exemplifies the highest level of craftsmanship. The bronze figure, with its exquisite patina, is signed Kelety on the base and inscribed Etling Paris, confirming its distinguished provenance.
There are moments when one encounters a work of truly great significance, and The Archer is precisely such a piece. Kelety’s mature style is on full display, as he masterfully balances dynamic movement, controlled tension, and refined elegance—all hallmarks of Art Deco aesthetics. The archer, poised in a moment of perfect equilibrium, captures both strength and sophistication, embodying the essence of the movement’s sculptural ideals.
A true masterpiece, The Archer is more than just a sculpture; it is an Art Deco icon. Its rarity further enhances its desirability—over the past two decades, only four examples have surfaced at auction, each reaffirming its elite status in the market. Highly sought after by collectors worldwide, this monumental bronze remains a testament to the golden age of Art Deco sculpture, solidifying Kelety’s legacy as one of the great sculptors of his time.
References:
B. Catley, Art Deco and Other Figures, Suffolk, 1978
V. Arwas, Art Deco Sculpture, London, 1992
A. Duncan, Art Deco Sculpture, London, 2016
Auction Results:
2003 – Christie’s: €175,000 (including fees)
2005 – Artcurial Paris: €78,000 (including fees)
2012 – Christie’s: €79,000 (including fees)
2018 – Sotheby’s: €58,000 (including fees)
In the interwar period, he exhibited several times at the Paris Salons. At the Salon of the Société des Artistes Français in 1927 he exhibited a terracotta bust and in 1928 and 1930 bronze and ivory figures, all made and published by the Éditeur d'art (art publisher) Arthur Goldscheider. At the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et industriels Modernes in 1925, his work was shown both on the Goldscheider stand and at Edmond Etling's. At the World Exhibition in Paris in 1937, he showed sculptures handcrafted by the foundries Etling and Les Neveux de Jules Lehmann and animal sculptures made by M. Ollier.
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