Demetre CHIPARUS (1886-1947). Les Amis de toujours. Model created around 1925. A chryselephantine group in ivory and gilt and cold patinated bronze. Signed 'Chiparus' on the base behind the left dog. Beneath the base the circular stamp "L.N. Paris J.L" of the foundry Les Neveux de Jules Lehmann. Height: 23 cm on a red marble base, overall dimensions: 28 x 29 x 8.5 cm. Weight: 4.926 kg. Good condition. Restorations (base broken and reattached, small filling at the back), alterations (dirt, dust in the hollows, slight wear) and a small cabochon missing from the belt. CIC N°FR2508200020-K. Related literature: -Alberto Shayo, Chiparus master of Art Deco, Woodbridge, Acc Art Books, 2016, model listed as no. 196, p. 32 and p.111 This ormolu and ivory chryselephantine group by the celebrated Romanian-born sculptor Demetre Chiparus depicts an elegant woman in a richly embellished gown and cloche hat in the style of the Roaring Twenties. She is accompanied by two barzoi greyhounds. This subject was a great success and is one of the artist's most prized works. To create this composition, the sculptor hired a Russian Borzoi for twenty-five days. Given the success of the subject, the sculptor reproduced the model in three different sizes (28, 42 and 63 cm). This is the smallest and rarest version. It bears the founder's stamp 'Les Neveux de Jules Lehmann' under the base. This publishing house was one of the most important in the marketing of works from the Art Deco movement in the inter-war period.