Vibrant French Art Deco “Seated Flapper Lady on a Bench Sculpture”, Signed R. Scheggi, Cold Painted Figure on Architectural Alabaster Base, Circa 1925–1935

A graceful Art Deco figural sculpture depicting a fashionable young woman seated upon a stylized bench and gently holding a small bouquet of flowers. The figure is modeled in the elegant spirit of the late 1920s, wearing a pleated dress and cloche hat typical of the fashionable “flapper” era, reflecting the changing social freedoms and modern style of women during the interwar period. Her relaxed pose, delicately turned head, and softly draped garments convey the refined sophistication that defined decorative sculpture of the Art Deco movement.

The figure is finished in original cold-painted polychrome, with a vibrant green dress accented by coral trim and contrasting pale head and arms in the “chryselephantine manner”, a style inspired by ancient ivory and gold sculptures and revived during the Art Deco period to create dramatic contrast between materials. The modeling of the dress folds and the naturalistic posture of the seated figure demonstrate the influence of French decorative sculpture workshops that flourished in Paris during the late 1920s and early 1930s.

She is seated upon a carved alabaster bench featuring stylized architectural detailing, mounted on a stepped base with a textured terrace surface that reflects the geometric and architectural design vocabulary associated with the Art Deco movement. The use of alabaster for the base was common among French decorative ateliers, prized for its subtle translucence and ability to complement the soft tones of the figure above.

The sculpture is signed “R. Scheggi” and represents the refined decorative objects produced by European studios supplying the luxury decorative arts market during the Art Deco period. Sculptures of this type were intended to adorn elegant interiors, mantels, and consoles, celebrating modern femininity and the streamlined aesthetic of the era.

Dating to approximately circa 1925–1935, the piece is a fine example of Art Deco decorative sculpture, combining graceful figural modeling with architectural base design. The composition of the seated figure upon a bench is less commonly encountered than standing dancer figures and gives the sculpture a strong sculptural presence from multiple viewing angles.

An attractive and evocative decorative object from the golden age of Art Deco design, ideal for collectors of early twentieth-century sculpture or for display within a sophisticated interior inspired by the glamour and elegance of the 1920s and 1930s.

Dimensions: width 11.0″ x depth 7.25″ x height 12.75″