A stunning and provocative Art Deco statuette, The Cigarette Girl, (estimated at £20,000-30,000) once owned by Elton John (pictured top right) is coming up for auction at Bonhams' Design from 1860 sale.
During the 1970s, the singer amassed a high quality art deco collection, sparking a fashion among the rich and famous for work of this period - Barbra Streisand was another art deco fan. Much of John's art deco collection was dispersed at auction in 1988.
The bronze and ivory figure shows a self confident young woman, arms crossed, posing playfully and provocatively with her cigarette.
![]() The Cigarette Girl, estimated at £20,000-30,000 |
Dressed in a remarkably modern way for women of the time (her leather jacket and tight fighting pants - later known as cigarette trousers - bringing to mind the look of Garbo or Deitrich) The Cigarette Girl is the work of Brono Zach.
Zach specialised in portrayals of women in flirtatious poses and his work has steadily increased in value in recent years. In 2009, Bonhams sold his The Riding Crop for the world record price of £60,000.
The auction is scheduled to take place on Wednesday June 16.
- More news on Memorabilia and Art
- Enjoy the read? Don't forget to sign up for your free newsletter with exclusive content