Erté Arctic Sea 1989 Bronze Sculpture

Erté’s bronze sculptures from the 1980s epitomize late-20th-century Art Deco revival. Among them, Arctic Sea (designed 1989) is a sought-after limited-edition bronze that blends theatrical costume design, stylized figure, and icy palette. This guide explains how to identify, appraise, and care for an authentic example, with specific cues for marks, patina, condition, and market value.

What is Erté’s Arctic Sea (1989)?

• Artist: Erté (Romain de Tirtoff, 1892–1990), the celebrated Art Deco designer known for fashion plates, stage costumes, and elegant stylization.
• Medium and method: Lost-wax cast bronze, typically with multi-tone patination and cold-painted polychrome details; often accented with gilt highlights. Mounted on a stone base (commonly black marble or granite).
• Design concept: A stylized female figure evoking polar seas—cool blue, white, and silver tones, “fur”-like textures rendered in patina, and flowing, wave-like lines typical of Erté’s fluid drapery. The piece belongs to his maritime/fantasy idiom rather than a numbered alphabet/season set.
• Dimensions: Vary by cast and base, but many examples fall in the roughly 18–24 inch total height range. Always confirm by measurement from base bottom to highest point.
• Edition: Arctic Sea was issued as a limited edition beginning in 1989, with regular-numbered casts and a small reserve of proofs. Standard Erté bronze editions from this period commonly run to 375 numbered examples, plus artist’s proofs (AP/E.A.) and hors commerce (H.C.) examples retained for promotion. The exact numbers should be verified on the actual piece and COA.

Note on dates: The “1989” date refers to the design/edition year. Individual casts may have been produced shortly thereafter within the authorized edition until the edition was closed.

How to identify an authentic example

Erté bronzes from this period were published and distributed through established art publishers and cast by professional foundries. Authentic Arctic Sea examples share a set of consistent physical and documentary markers:

• Signature: A cast-in script “Erté” signature on the bronze, typically on the base or near the figure’s foot or hem.
• Copyright and publisher marks: Look for a cast copyright line such as “© 1989 Sevenarts Ltd” along with publisher marks associated with Erté’s late-career bronzes. Chalk & Vermilion Fine Arts is often present on period examples. Exact wording and placement can vary by casting run.
• Edition numbering: Hand-engraved or stamped fraction, e.g., “123/375,” and separate annotations for AP (Artist’s Proof, often “AP” or “E.A.”) or HC. Numbering sequence has minimal effect on value unless the piece is a proof; “early” numbers are not inherently better castings.
• Title plaque or base inscription: Many examples include a small plaque with the title “Arctic Sea.” Some bases have the title and edition engraved beneath.
• Foundry/publisher documentation: Original Certificate of Authenticity (COA) issued by the publisher is ideal. Period COAs are often on heavy stock with embossed seal, specifying title, year, medium, edition size, edition number, and sometimes an image.
• Materials and finish:
  • Bronze weight should feel substantial relative to size.
  • Patina quality: crisp edges, clean transitions between patinated and cold-painted areas, and even application of metallic highlights.
  • Base: Typically stone (often black marble), well-finished edges, secure mounting hardware accessed from below. Felt or leather pads are common on the underside.

Red flags to watch for:

• Vague or missing copyright/publisher marks.
• Edition number without publisher info or with incorrect fonts/spacing.
• Overly glossy repaints, sloppy color boundaries, or flaking paint inconsistent with age and technique.
• Resin or spelter substitutes: much lighter weight, softer details, and sometimes magnetic inclusions (bronze is not magnetic).
• Poor quality marble substitutes, or newly drilled bases that don’t fit the outline of the sculpture’s footprint.

Condition assessment and conservation

Because Arctic Sea blends patination and cold-painted details, its condition is judged on both bronze integrity and surface finishes.

Typical condition points:

• Paint and patina: Look for losses to cold paint on high points (fingertips, hem edges, protruding wave/ruff forms). Minor, expected rubs are acceptable; broad repaints reduce value.
• Gilding and metallic highlights: Check for abraded gilding, uneven sheen, or tarnish. Loss should be treated conservatively.
• Structural soundness: Inspect slender elements (hands, drapery tips) for bends or repairs. A color change or lumpy texture may indicate a fill or solder repair.
• Mounting hardware: Tight, original hardware between bronze and base. Verify no wobble; misaligned or mismatched screws suggest tampering.
• Base stone: Chips at corners and edges are common. Small, clean corner nicks are tolerable; large chips or cracks impact value.
• Surface contamination: Nicotine film, oils, or wax build-up can dull the patina. Avoid aggressive cleaning.

Care recommendations:

• Dust with a soft natural-bristle brush; avoid microfiber snagging painted edges.
• Do not use water-based or household cleaners on patinated/painted surfaces.
• If protection is needed on non-painted bronze areas, a thin coat of museum-grade microcrystalline wax applied sparingly by a conservator is appropriate; never wax over cold-paint.
• Display away from direct sunlight and heat sources; UV and heat can accelerate fading and binder failure in cold-paint.
• Maintain stable indoor humidity and temperature to minimize differential movement between bronze and base.

Packing and shipping:

• If possible, detach the sculpture from the base and pack separately; wrap each with acid-free materials and foam, then double-box.
• Protect projections with cavity packing; do not allow bubble wrap to contact cold-painted surfaces directly.
• Insure for replacement value and require signature upon delivery.

Market performance and value drivers

Erté bronzes occupy a robust niche market, with steady demand from Art Deco and design collectors. Arctic Sea’s value is shaped by:

• Edition and rarity: Standard-numbered examples from editions around 375 are collectible but not rare; AP and HC examples typically command a 10–25% premium if accompanied by proper proof designation.
• Condition: Clean original patina and intact cold-paint significantly influence price. Over-cleaning and visible touch-ups are the most value-diminishing defects.
• Completeness: Original COA, title plaque, and original base all add confidence and value. A missing COA can reduce buyer confidence and price at auction.
• Aesthetics: Pieces with strong contrast, crisp casting, and the quintessential “icy” palette of Arctic Sea are more desirable.
• Provenance: Sales through recognized galleries or a documented chain of ownership improves liquidity.
• Timing and venue: Retail gallery pricing for mid-size Erté bronzes can be noticeably higher than auction realizations. Private sales and dealer-to-dealer trades may sit between.

Indicative pricing (general guidance, not a quote):

• Auction: Well-preserved, complete Arctic Sea examples frequently trade into the mid-four to low-five figures, with many results clustering in a roughly $5,000–$12,000 range depending on condition, completeness, and venue. Exceptional proofs or pristine, documented examples may exceed this.
• Retail gallery: Asking prices can run higher, often in the $10,000–$20,000 range for strong examples, reflecting marketing, overhead, and return policies.

As always, verify with recent comparables that match edition type, condition, and documentation; localized demand and seasonality matter.

Appraisal and selling strategy

For a formal appraisal:

• Determine the appropriate valuation standard: fair market value (FMV) for estate or charitable purposes versus retail replacement value for insurance.
• Develop a comparables set: Focus on the same title (Arctic Sea), same edition type (numbered/AP/HC), similar condition grade, and similar completeness (COA, base, plaque). Where exact title comparables are scarce, include closely related Erté bronzes of similar size and palette from the late 1980s and explain adjustments.
• Document condition: Include macro photographs of patina transitions, painted edges, signature, edition number, and copyright/publisher marks, plus the underside/base hardware.
• Note market context: Indicate whether comparables are auction hammer plus premium or private sale/galleried asking, and adjust accordingly.

If selling:

• Prioritize completeness: Locate the COA and any original paperwork; if missing, assemble robust photographic documentation of all marks.
• Choose venue strategically: Auction yields speed and transparent pricing; dealers/galleries can reach dedicated Erté collectors and may take works on consignment; private platforms require careful vetting of buyers and escrow practices.
• Set expectations: Be realistic about condition deductions; be clear about any restoration. Professional, transparent listings sell faster.

Quick checklist for appraisal and purchase

• Verify title and year: Arctic Sea, designed 1989.
• Confirm authenticity marks: cast Erté signature; “© 1989 Sevenarts Ltd” (or similar) and publisher marks; proper edition number.
• Check edition type: numbered (e.g., 123/375), AP/E.A., or HC; record exactly.
• Inspect condition: cold-paint stability, patina continuity, edges/tips for losses, mounting hardware tightness, base chips.
• Review completeness: original COA, title plaque, original base.
• Weigh and measure: ensure bronze heft and typical size; compare to known ranges.
• Photograph everything: signature, edition, copyright/publisher marks, base underside, condition details.
• Compare market data: use recent, closely matched comparables; adjust for condition and venue.
• Plan conservation only if needed: avoid amateur touch-ups; consult a qualified conservator for paint or patina issues.

FAQ

Q: Is a lower edition number more valuable? A: Not generally. For Erté bronzes, edition numbers were not cast in chronological quality order. Proofs (AP/E.A., HC) may carry a premium, but number 5/375 versus 250/375 usually has no price impact.

Q: How can I tell if the paint is original? A: Original cold-paint shows crisp boundaries, slight age-consistent micro-wear on highest points, and integrates seamlessly with the patina. Broad, uniform sheen, brush marks over edges, or paint overlapping onto areas that should be patinated are signs of later touch-ups.

Q: What paperwork should accompany Arctic Sea? A: Ideally, the original Certificate of Authenticity referencing title, year, edition size, and specific edition number, sometimes with a publisher’s embossed seal. Keep any original invoices or gallery labels; they assist with provenance.

Q: Can I polish the bronze to make it shine? A: No. Polishing compounds can strip patina and damage cold-paint. Limit care to dry dusting. Any surface treatment should be conservation-grade and applied only to unpainted bronze by a qualified professional.

Q: What’s the best insurance value to carry? A: Use a recent professional appraisal for retail replacement value, updated every 3–5 years or sooner if market activity increases. Provide the insurer with photographs and documentation to streamline any claim.