Art Deco And Other Figures. Catley, Bryan

Hardback, dusjacket, 288 mm x 220 mm., Pages: 400., Illustrations: 121 colour, 1,133 b&w., New. ISBN 9781851493821. This important book, now available in a revised edition, contains the most complete range of art deco figures ever published. It is based partly on the original importers' catalogues and partly on the wide range of pieces handled by the author Bryan Catley - the leading specialist in the subject. Between the wars an entirely modern style of decorative sculpture emerged which was a complete break with the heavy romantic late nineteenth century schools, and was totally in sympathy with the vibrant young society of the 1920s. The use of bronze and ivory for a great number of these sensual figures in no way obscures the fact that many are of exceptionally high quality; add to this their sense of movement and rhythm and one realises that the large sums they now command is a reflection of a discriminative international collectors market. Bryan Catley's original interest in the subject was fired when he inherited an art deco figure from his late grandmother's art collection. During his student days at engineering college and after he was inspired to go on and buy every figure he could afford. Later he and John Sparrow set up the business known as 'Catspa' which, for many years before their retirement, was synonymous with Art Deco sculpture. 0 g.