Limited Edition Erte Serigraph: 'The Legend of the Snow Queen' (or 'The Little Empress')

This is a large-format limited edition serigraph (silkscreen print) by the renowned Art Deco artist Romain de Tirtoff, widely known as Erté (1892–1990). The artwork depicts a stylized female figure in elaborate, faux-fur-trimmed regal winter attire, cradling the head of a dark horse amidst a snowy, mountainous landscape. The composition is characteristic of Erté’s late-period graphic work, executed with remarkable precision and opulent color. The central figure wears a flowing red robe adorned with intricate gold dragon motifs and geometric patterns, displaying the artist's background in fashion design and theatrical costuming. The color palette is sophisticated, utilizing high-contrast blacks, deep reds, and metallic golds against a minimalist gray and white background. Looking at the bottom margin, there are two distinct markings: on the bottom left, the pencil-written numbering '117 / 300' indicates this is a limited run print, which significantly adds to its collectibility. On the bottom right, Erte’s stylized signature is visible alongside a chop mark or embossed seal often used by Sevenarts Ltd or Chalk & Vermilion, his primary publishers. The print is professionally housed in a contemporary silver-toned metal frame with a deep profile, providing a clean, modern aesthetic that contrasts with the ornate details of the print. The condition appears excellent with no visible fading, foxing, or moisture damage to the paper. The registration of colors is sharp, a hallmark of high-quality serigraphy where multiple layers of ink are applied to create a tactile, saturated surface. This piece likely dates from the 1980s, a period when Erté experienced a major career revival and produced his most popular graphic editions.

Based on the visual examination of the provided images, I am evaluating this limited edition serigraph by Romain de Tirtoff, known as Erté, titled 'The Legend of the Snow Queen'. The artwork appears to be in excellent condition, showing no visible signs of fading, foxing, or moisture damage. The sharp color registration and rich metallic inks are visually consistent with high-quality serigraphs produced by his primary publishers, such as Chalk & Vermilion or Sevenarts Ltd, during the 1980s. The piece features a pencil-numbered edition of '117 / 300' and Erté's stylized signature, both of which are critical value indicators. Erté's Art Deco revival graphics retain a dedicated collector base, though the market has experienced stabilization since the height of his late-career resurgence. Works with elaborate compositions and metallic accents, such as this one, generally command stronger secondary market prices, typically ranging from $1,500 to $2,500 depending on the retail venue and buyer demand. Please note that this appraisal is based strictly on photographic evidence. I cannot definitively verify the authenticity of the signature, the tactile depth of the publisher's blind stamp (chop mark), or the archival quality of the framing materials without an in-person inspection. Full authentication would require physical examination under magnification and a review of any accompanying provenance documentation or a Certificate of Authenticity.