Six bronze vases in varying sizes provide a profile of Erté's gifts as the most important artist-designer of the 20th century. One large, three medium and two small Erté vases comprise a wonderful beginning for a lie", collector.

It is important to remember three points about the Style vase: (1) its lifestyle significance, (2) its story and (3) its design. Regarding lifestyle, the very title of the piece. We have to go back to September 1921 for the story behind this piece. A woman is depicted in her boudoir where she is dressed and ready to go out for the evening (note: this is the same moment captured in the hand mirror All Sails Up). Hiding behind a screen, she is looking at herself in a mirror, pausing to adjust her drape arid grab a fresh flower before she departs.

The design is the strength of this unusual vase. Notice the irregular shape of the top which is the line made by a folding screen. The screen is decorated in round and oval relief?s which have been carefully polished to reveal the color of natural bronze. In the original piece, Erté made the screen a lamp by hiding light bulbs in the white jade reliefs. At the bottom of each design motif on the panels, Erté has finished them with a sensuous teardrop. It is from the design of this stylish screen that the design statement of draping evolves. The circles, ovals and teardrops seem to be draped on the screen panels rather than being a part of them. Her hair is draped on her head. The dress is draped over her body. The belt and tassel are draped from her waist and hand. Finally, look at how the flowers are draped from the floor vase. Another wonderful design element is the base: (1) the fusion of the vase and the base is elegant, (2) the base shape alone is worth examining (six sides) and (3) the beveled edge of the base reflects the beveled edge of the top of the screen. 'fires magnifique!

The Chapeau vase is one of Erté?s most important objects of art for three reasons. First, it is a reflection of Erté's fascination with the small and delicate. As a child he was influenced by the Persian miniatures in the Hermitage Museum. Chapeau has a detail and precision of line not found on leis other vases. Second, the vase contains two images rather than one image repeated twice. Third, the subject matter - with its beautiful patina illustrates the blending of the Oriental and deco imagery of the 1920s.

Fantasy is the most sculptural of the Erte vases. This stately vase is cast in bronze utilizing the lost wax process. The vase depicts three women, elegant and sumptuously clothed, standing out from the surface in high relief. But behind each of them are etched five men. It has been stated by Erte that every woman needs at least five different males in her life, for no one man can satisfy her various needs for friendship, sex, wealth, companionship and power. Who exactly are each of these men? Friend, confidant, mentor, husband, lover? Only the woman knows their true identity and true role.

The largest and rarest Erte vase is Celebration 93, standing 15+" high and 11" wide. It is cast in bronze in an edition of only 93 (plus artist's proofs). Celebration 93 is described by art dealers as an object so special that they do not want to sell it. It is a commemorative piece celebrating Erte at age 93 and his lifetime accomplishments. This spectacular vase depicts eight art deco women in beautiful evening attire celebrating a joyous evening. In this party atmosphere, four women are sculpted in all possible dimensions - negative, etched and positive base reliefs -- and then the pattern is repeated. This varied dimensionality and the mixed media patinas, including white gold, arc really what bring this piece to life.
 

Since Erté's bowls were primarily designed as centerpieces for tables, it is appropriate to discuss them after candlesticks and candelabras. The Fruit of Life bowl is a quintessential Erte object embodying whimsy, beauty and adoration. Additionally, this piece is all original bronze work of art having been cast using the lost wax process at the same foundry Erte uses to cast his sculpture.

For Erté woman in all of her marvelous forms and shapes is the Fruit of Life. In this adoration of woman's form and beauty, Erte again shows his whimsy by the derriere shape of the bowl. Functionally, it is designed to hold fruit or dried flowers. The beauty derives not only front its novel shape, but also from tile composition. The woman's face and imaginative hat are perfectly, proportioned so that the overall design is inviting and seductive. Lastly, note the accent points that have been polished to give the piece movement and energy. Fruit of Life is mounted on a rotating base which makes it easy to view all perspectives of the piece. Fill it with fruit or place it as a centerpiece on your dining room table. This display of good taste will result In marvelous conversations about Erté art and collecting. Enjoy it!

The Ocean bowl suite is one of Erté's most impressive achievement in objects of art. Who else but this remarkable genius could have conceived such perfection? Using bowls as metaphors for earth, Erté has fantasized a myth of the story of creation. The god and goddess of the oceans are depicted by Erté as a male (Adam) in Ocean 1, and as a female (Eve) in Ocean II. Just as life emerged from water, these mythical figures emerge with their stylized attendants that provide a repetitive motif for the bowls.

The waves of the ocean are illustrated by the scalloped sides of the bowl. The decorative design on the outside of both Ocean 1 and 11 present Erté's view of sea vegetation. The seven heads on Ocean II represent the seven seas of the world.

For Erte there is more to these pieces than his myth of creation. For him the ocean is a great source of energy. As many collectors know, he lives In Paris during the spring and fall, in Barbados in the winter and in Majorca in the summer. As he recently wrote: "The sea has always been a wonderful inspiration for me I can't live without seeing the ocean for a long time. Every year, I spend two months In Barbados and two months in Majorca, and my best ideas are born in these two places."

The Ocean suite, with accompanying Erté candlesticks, makes the most interesting conversation piece during a dinner party. The beauty rarity and quality of these pieces give the owner excellent value and infinite pleasure.

Part II

Flower Among Flowers is a historic first. This is the first Erte howl ever made in crystal. While Erté has designed many crystal objects of art, only a few of them have been made at this time due to the prohibitive cost of manufacturing fine crystal. 'lo make the first Flower Among Flowers bowl prototype, it cost the publisher over $25,000!

After discussing the complexity of Erte designs for crystal, I selected one of the three top French cristalleries (founded in 1725), Crystal de Sevres, to do the piece. It is a collaboration of the best with the best.

Erté has always been inspired by women and Nature. Flower (woman) Among Flowers (Nature) combines his loves in a very special way. She is the quintessential Erté woman - sophisticated and elegant. She has lived life to its fullest and enjoyed it all! She is what every woman aspires to be and what every man admires.

Erté has designed Flower Among Flowers especially for this collection. Its sensuous shape coupled with the softness of the frosted glass suggests the best of the art nouveau period. The stylized flowers, in contrast, suggest art deco. In short, this crystal bowl combines the best of both artistic styles.

In evaluating any crystal, please remember to consider light, weight and time. The magic of crystal lies in how it reflects and refracts light aid how light shines through the piece. The design, the frosting and the polishing all interact to allow the artist to sculpt with light. Clear crystal, with alternating frosted and polished surfaces, creates the most magic. Artificial lighting is critical when natural lighting is unavailable. A beautiful black marble base and light source of halogen have been specially made for this piece.

Flowers is a very heavy piece and its weight is important. The heavier the crystal, the more difficult it is to make it flawless. (The rejection rate goes in geometrically as you add volume because of the increased probability that an imperfection will appear.)

Fine crystal bears all interesting relationship to time. Important crystal is timeless because its design is independent of a particular period. Like the medium itself, Erté's designs are not fashionable rather they are stylish. Fashion changes; style is forever. The acquisition of other major piece of art crystal by Erté has a greater impact on most people than all other object of art.

The mixing of crystal and other media is very appealing. In the case of Flowers, Erte leas mixed silver, crystal and marble to a fine art. The silver lid and ring, handmade by a Versailles jeweler, add a clean finishing touch to the piece.
 

Erté now offers us the thrill of celebrating major occasions (and quiet, love-inspired candlelight dinners) with his special "Flute Majestique" - named for the oversized champagne flutes used by Imperial Czarist Russia at the time of Erté's birth in 1892. The stem is exquisitely crafted and highlighted by hand. It portrays seven faces of woman, which symbolizes woman's many roles in today's society - friend, lover, confidant, professional, mother and wife. Woman has never had more options, and Erté acknowledges her complexity with this homage. The crystal bulb is clear to permit full enjoyment of the rising bubbles and delicate color of a fine champagne. This design once again confirms Erté's reputation as the 20th century's most famous artist-designer.
 

Canadian-born Bruce Thompsett is one of the leading interior architects in North America. His fame is based in part on his dramatic use of lighting. "If you have nothing else in a room," he says, "start with a candle."May I add that if you only have two things in a room, the second should be a candlestick or candelabra. Erte has designed over 60 candle holders for home, theatrical settings and films which were never produced. In 96 years he has offered only three single candlesticks, one double candlestick and one candelabra (menorah) for collectors, galleries arid museums.

The Erte candlesticks presented here have been selected with two considerations in mind. First, they should contribute to ones elegant lifestyle. Nothing epitomizes elegant living better than a beautifully set table composed of fine china, silverware and an artistic centerpiece, flanked by candlesticks. Your acquired culture and good taste are instantly noticeable from the way you set your table for a dinner part. I have you ever noticed the "flair" sonic people have for "getting everything right?" Pay particular attention to their use of beautiful candlesticks as a part of elegant dining.

Second, Erté appreciates a "candlelit dinner" for its romantic possibilities. Think about the last time you shared a candlelit dinner with someone you love. A gift of an Erté candlestick ensures that these moments will always be special. You are not giving someone a candlestick, you are sharing your love with someone who will never forget your generosity and sensitivity.

The Maidens candlestick, cast in bronze, shows four maidens in bas relief around the column holding up the light. In this instance, light symbolizes a new beginning. The candle lights the way to the future.

This design was completed over 50 years ago; its perfect proportions (note the height and how the bull swells at the right place in just the right amount) reflect Erté's superior design eye. The selection of the Maidens patina (mottled green) aid its selective polishing was done so it would be the perfect companion piece for the Ocean I and II bowls. Imagine the Ocean bowl as a centerpiece of your dining room table. Further, imagine a Maidens candlestick on cither side of the bowl, creating a magnificent statement. Not even European royalty or wealthy American families can find something more beautiful than a table ensemble designed by Erte. It's thrilling to know that this is the best of the best when it is placed on your dining room table.

The Vestal candlestick was selected for the cover of this book to illustrate how a beautifully-designed candlestick can bring elegance to a home. Its design harmony is immediately obvious, its sophistication an enhancement to one's lifestyle. The pleasure to be derived from this particular piece far exceeds the small price.

Part II

Erté is a deeply spiritual man. His art is permeated with references to man's higher self, communing with nature and reaching for the heavens. The Angel candlestick, designed in 1985 from a 1928 gouache, depicts man's spiritual self, which transcends all religions. As surely as we live today, we will live forever through our spiritual selves. Lighting the Angel candlestick is a daily reminder of our eternal lives.

For a centerpiece ensemble, a pair of "Angels" are perfect companions to the Fruit of Life bowl. Not only do both pieces have spiritual overtones, but they also represent design harmony together. For example, note the sensuous curves of the bowl and the curves of the angels' wings. Also the polished surfaces of the bowl and the polished finish on the candlestick enhance their complementary quality.

It is sometimes easy to forget the depth and range of Erté artistic creations because he is best known as a fashion artist and "the father of art deco" (a designation he does not like). His work for theatre, opera, dance and even Harper's Bazaar shows a range much broader than most people know:

Conceived in December 1926, Fortune depicts a seated oriental figure holding its arms aloft as a cornucopia overflows with treasures of the heart (love) and the world (symbolized by pearls). The small flame at the top of the headdress symbolizes health. Surely, this person has good fortune. This conceptualization was modified in 1987 for a double candlestick to serve as a dining room table centerpiece. Most of us who are able to consider acquiring an Erté object of art enjoy good fortune. Having this piece in our home is not a celebration of this fact but a reminder for each of us to thank our Creator for this good fortune. 

The exotic-oriental features of this piece have been captured in the face and detailed beadwork. The sunburst pattern is a recurring leitmotif in Erté's work that is classified as art deco. Cast exactly like his sculpture, using the lost wax casting process, Fortune is an investment in living and a true thanksgiving for all of us.