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Lot Essay
Conceived in 1913, Oriental Dancer demonstrates Manship's fusion of disparate motifs from ancient civilizations. In the present work, he combines the classical Greek amphora form with an Oriental motif; the griffins on the arms are Eastern but their forms with tall ears and knobs demonstrate Greek influence. The dancer, similar to the woman of Manship's 'Salome,' moves exaggeratedly and seems to be inspired by the celestial females of Indian art. Edwin Murtha explains, "This is the first of those works by Manship that were influenced by the art of India and China." (Paul Manship, New York, 1957, p. 150.)
The model was included in a show held at Manship's studio on Lexington Avenue in November 1913 and later at a show organized by Gorham Foundry. According to Murtha, it was cast in an edition of eight. Other examples are in the collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; the Smith College Museum of Art, Northampton, Massachusetts; and the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
The model was included in a show held at Manship's studio on Lexington Avenue in November 1913 and later at a show organized by Gorham Foundry. According to Murtha, it was cast in an edition of eight. Other examples are in the collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; the Smith College Museum of Art, Northampton, Massachusetts; and the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.