-One of the most important sculptors of the Art Deco era, Demétre Chiparus (1886-1947) was a Romanian sculptor who lived and worked in Paris. This book is a stunning monograph covering the most iconic of the Art Deco sculptors. It delves into his work both as a sculptor and a painter This new and updated edition adds new figures as well as historic documents. Of particular interest is the discovery of the long-lost marble figure Polar Bear last seen over 75 years ago in Paris, where it was exhibited for the first and last time at the 1943 Salon des Artistes Français. Accompanying images of this important discovery are presented in this edition for the very first time. Over 26 years ago the first publication of Chiparus: Master of Art Deco brought this artist into the public eye. His name, lost in records and catalogues, was rejuvenated by Alberto Shayo's rediscovery of his works, effectively bringing artist and oeuvre back to life. The book dwells on the sources and inspiration of the Art Deco movement, with particular emphasis on sculptures created by Demétre Chiparus.

The definitive, all-color guide for any Art Deco enthusiast. Showcasing over 1,000 individually priced items and with up-to-date tips and advice from bestselling expert Judith Miller, this glorious guide will show you all you need to know about Art Deco. Art Deco contains affordable collectables and classic pieces, and showcases popular Art Deco collecting fields. From Clarice Cliff to Chanel, an array of styles are covered here, with historical information, collectors' tips and price guides. A must-have for all Art Deco collectors.

An inspiring account of America at its worst-and Americans at their best-woven from the stories of Depression-era families who were helped by gifts from the author's generous and secretive grandfather. Shortly before Christmas 1933 in Depression-scarred Canton, Ohio, a small newspaper ad offered $10, no strings attached, to 75 families in distress. Interested readers were asked to submit letters describing their hardships to a benefactor calling himself Mr. B. Virdot. The author's grandfather Sam Stone was inspired to place this ad and assist his fellow Cantonians as they prepared for the cruelest Christmas most of them would ever witness. Moved by the tales of suffering and expressions of hope contained in the letters, which he discovered in a suitcase 75 years later, Ted Gup initially set out to unveil the lives behind them, searching for records and relatives all over the country who could help him flesh out the family sagas hinted at in those letters. From these sources, Gup has re-created the impact that Mr B. Virdot's gift had on each family. Many people yearned for bread, coal, or other necessities, but many others received money from B. Virdot for more fanciful items-a toy horse, say, or a set of encyclopedias. As Gup's investigations revealed, all these things had the power to turn people's lives around- even to save them. But as he uncovered the suffering and triumphs of dozens of strangers, Gup also learned that Sam Stone was far more complex than the lovable- retiree persona he'd always shown his grandson. Gup unearths deeply buried details about Sam's life-from his impoverished, abusive upbringing to felonious efforts to hide his immigrant origins from U.S. officials-that help explain why he felt such a strong affinity to strangers in need. Drawing on his unique find and his award-winning reportorial gifts, Ted Gup solves a singular family mystery even while he pulls away the veil of eight decades that separate us from the hardships that united America during the Depression. In A Secret Gift, he weaves these revelations seamlessly into a tapestry of Depression-era America, which will fascinate and inspire in equal measure. Watch a Video

Tells how to investigate the history of furniture, silver, jewelry, clocks, toys, and books, and how to select an appraiser

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.

It is a vast world one enters when writing on the statuettes of the Art Deco era: both in terms of the number of artists that contributed to it, and the number of figures they created. This book studies the influences that shaped these artists' work - namely, the growth of the Ballets Russes under the aegis of Sergei Diaghilev; the fascination in all things Egyptian that followed the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb in 1924; and the Music Hall, with all of its venues, its stars and its glamor. Paris was a magnet for aspiring artists. An unrivaled destination for free-spending tourists, its popularity dwelt in the city's inexpensiveness, considering the absence of the dollar and the falling value of the franc. A thorough look at its artists and their work can only emerge from long investigation.

Each of the more than 3,000 items listed in nearly 200 categories is accompanied by a new black-and-white photograph that highlights distinguishing features of the piece in question as well as current market value.