Salvador Dalí 'Adam and Eve' Bas-Relief Gold Foil Plaquet
Art Plaque / Bas-Relief (Decorative Object) · Yellow Gold foil; high-purity immersion or electrolytic plating over a decorative substrate.
Purity: 23K or 24K Gold Leaf/Foil (approx. 95.8% - 99.9% purity); typically applied over a base metal or polymer resin substrate.
Type
Art Plaque / Bas-Relief (Decorative Object)
Purity
23K or 24K Gold Leaf/Foil (approx. 95.8% - 99.9% purity); typically applied over a base metal or polymer resin substrate.
Gold Type
Yellow Gold foil; high-purity immersion or electrolytic plating over a decorative substrate.
Weight
The gold content is negligible (often less than 0.1g) as the item is a thin foil; the overall weight including the substrate is likely 100-250 grams.
Description
A striking bas-relief interpretation of the biblical figures Adam and Eve by surrealist master Salvador Dalí. The figures are rendered in a fluid, elongated style with the serpent coiled around a central tree. The high-relief technique creates dramatic highlights and shadows in the gold surface.
Key Features
Dalí's signature Surrealist anatomical style; hammered textural contrast between the figures and background; 'Adam and Eve' iconography.
Color & Finish
Deep rich yellow with a satin-to-bright luster. Features high-relief burnishing on the figures and a stippled/hammered matte texture in the background.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Usually features a stamped signature 'Dalí' in the lower corner of the mold; may have an 'Oro 24k' or '999' stamp on the bottom edge or reverse of the interior frame.
Dimensions Estimate
Height: 8-10 inches; Width: 4-5 inches. Typical of the mid-sized Dalí editions from the 1970s.
Gemstones & Inlays
None; purely decorative gold foil bas-relief.
Clasp & Closure
N/A; typically mounted in a wooden or metal frame for wall display.
Chain & Links
N/A; the item features a thin gold-colored frame border with mitred corners.
Craftsmanship Details
Achieved through a process of electroforming or mechanical stamping (repoussé) using a master mold, followed by meticulous gold leaf or foil application to the relief surface.
Authentication Indicators
Distinctive Dalí signature style; specific stippling pattern in background typical of licensed 70s art multiples; consistent color of high-purity gold leaf.
Origin & Maker
Likely produced in Spain or Italy by authorized art publishers like 'Argenteria d'Arte' or 'Euro-Art' under license from Salvador Dalí.
Era & Period
Modern / Surrealism; typically produced during the 'Golden Era' of Dalí’s commercial multiples in the 1970s.
Age Estimate
Circa 1970-1980.
Cultural Significance
Represents the intersection of religious themes and the 20th-century Surrealist movement; showcases the 1970s trend of luxury art collectibles for the middle-class home.
Condition Notes
Very Good/Excellent. Minor surface abrasions or dust in the textured crevices; gold foil appears intact without peeling (delamination).
Value Estimate
Market value: $300 - $800 based on artistic provenance and frame condition. Melt value is negligible (< $10) as it is foil, not solid gold.
Care & Maintenance
Do not use abrasive cleaners or gold polishing cloths as the foil is extremely thin. Clean only with a soft, dry ostrich feather duster or compressed air.
Similar Items
Silver-plated versions of the same relief, or the Dalí 'Ten Commandments' gold medal series which contains significantly more solid bullion weight.
Interesting Facts
Dalí was obsessed with gold as a symbol of divine perfection and alchemical transformation, often licensing his works for medals and foils to make his art 'accessible' through multiples.