What is the difference between bronze and spelter?

Bronze is the copper alloy named in 234 titles, and it dominates the upper half of the category. Spelter is zinc alloy, named in 45, and was often finished to look like bronze. The two were used for the same subjects in the same years. Spelter models turn up mounted on the same marble and onyx bases, and frequently pair with ivorine faces and hands.

Why are so many of these French?

French appears in 156 titles, more than any other origin by a wide margin. The interwar trade in cast figures for the home was centred there, and the signed dancer on a stone plinth is the form that came out of it. Other origins are single sightings. Japanese, Spanish, American and Indonesian pieces each appear once or twice across the whole archive.

Which animals turn up most?

The panther, without much competition. It's named in 39 titles, more often than any dog, bird or horse, and appears crouching, prowling, strolling and cubist. It was made in bronze, spelter, terracotta and carved wood. Dogs follow, with greyhounds and borzois recurring, then stags, birds, elephants and tigers.

Are the marble bases original to the figures?

Mounting on a coloured stone plinth was how these were sold when new. Thirty-six titles mention a base and 27 specify marble. The stone is often named in the description: marble, onyx, Portoro or Verde Genova. Bases are enough of a feature in this category that dealers describe them alongside the figure.

How big do Art Deco sculptures get?

Most are domestic in scale, made to stand on a mantel or table. Forty-three titles carry 'large' or 'huge'. Where dealers quote heights, the figures run up through 46cm, 48cm and 63cm. The tallest recorded are a bronze warrior at 79cm and a bronze Diana with greyhounds at 70cm.

What does 'in the style of' mean on a listing?

It means the cast follows a known model rather than being given to a named hand. 'After' is used the same way. Titles worded like that sit lower in the range than signed work. Named and signed casts by the recorded sculptors gather in the upper half.