Erte Appraisal

Framed Erte (Romain de Tirtoff) 'Sheherezade' or similar Art Deco Fashion Illustration

This item is a framed original fashion illustration, likely by Erte (Romain de Tirtoff), titled 'Sheherezade' or a similar work from his extensive catalogue. The artwork depicts a stylized female figure, characteristic of Erte's Art Deco aesthetic. The figure is rendered with distinctive features, including dark skin, possibly suggesting an exotic or theatrical character, and is adorned with a golden crown-like headpiece. She wears an elaborate costume featuring flowing white drapery, indicative of luxurious fabric, possibly silk or chiffon, that cascades around her form. A prominent design element is the harlequin-patterned motif in red and black diamonds, visible on her sleeves and as an insert on the side of her gown. Her arms are outstretched, suggesting a dance pose or dramatic presentation. The artwork itself appears to be a drawing or painting on paper, and the colors are vibrant, despite the overall soft focus of the image. The signature "Erte" is faintly visible in the upper left quadrant of the drawing. The artwork is professionally matted with an off-white or cream-colored mat, and framed in a multi-layered gold-toned frame. The frame has a classic profile with decorative moldings, exhibiting good craftsmanship. The outer edge features a subtle rope or beading pattern, while the inner edge has a fluted design. The overall dimensions are noted as 22x16 inches, which refers to the outside dimensions of the frame. The visibility of the signature and the distinctive artistic style strongly suggest an authentic Erte piece, likely from the Art Deco period (1920s-1940s). No significant condition issues like tears, stains, or fading are clearly discernible from the image, but a detailed inspection would be necessary to confirm the condition of the artwork beneath the mat and glass, as well as the frame's integrity.