Ferdinand Preiss

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Ferdinand Preiss (February 13, 1882 - 1943) was a German sculptor. He was born in Erbach as one of six children. Both of his parents died when he was 15 and he became apprentice to an ivory carver. In 1901 he traveled to Italy. He later founded an ivory carving business with Arthur Kassler. Kassler became the business minded partner and Preis controlled artistic production. From 1910 onward he created works that combined ivory with bronze. The firm grew to specialize in limited edition Art Deco cabinet sculptures that used painted bronze with ivory. Preiss designed nearly all the firm's models. The firm closed with Preiss's death from a brain tumor in 1943. Collectors prize his works today.