"The Flower Girl" – A Chryselephantine Gilt-Bronze and Ivory Sculpture by Affortunato Gory, c. 1910
This chryselephantine sculpture, titled "The Flower Girl," was created circa 1910 by the renowned Italian-French artist Affortunato Gory. The piece is in excellent antique condition, featuring a solid gilt-bronze body and baskets, an authenticated carved ivory face (verified by Schreger lines), and a solid Carrara marble base. It retains its original antique threaded hardware and much of its period gold gilt, with a discreet foundry mark on the left heel and the artist's signature on the reverse, confirming it as a high-quality studio original.
Height: 8 inches. Weight: 3 lbs 13.2 oz.
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Hello, this item is a chryselephantine gilt-bronze and ivory figural sculpture titled The Flower Girl, executed circa 1910 by Affortunato Gory, an Italian French sculptor associated with early 20th century Art Nouveau and Belle Époque decorative arts. The figure depicts a young girl carrying flower baskets, cast in gilt bronze with an inset carved ivory face and mounted on a Carrara marble base. The bronze bears Gory’s signature on the hem of the dress, and the modeling, proportions, and surface finish correspond closely to documented studio originals by Gory rather than later reproductions. The use of ivory for the face, confirmed by visible Schreger lines, follows established chryselephantine practice of the period, popular among Paris-based sculptors working for the luxury decorative market between approximately 1900 and 1925.
The sculpture retains strong original gilding with light age wear, the ivory face shows natural patination without cracks or replacements, and the marble base appears original with period threaded hardware intact. Overall condition is very good for age, with no evidence of major restoration. Comparable authenticated Affortunato Gory chryselephantine figures of similar size and subject typically achieve auction prices between USD 2,500 and USD 5,000, depending on condition, subject appeal, and originality of components.
