Born in Estonia, Dora Gordine (1895-1991) is considered to be one of the best sculptors of the 20th century, alongside Aristide Maillol (1861-1944). A member of the Royal Society of British Sculptors and a founder of the Society of Portrait Sculptors, Gordine was an active participant in the European art scene in the early 20th century. In 2008, a monograph catalogue titled ‘Dora Gordine-sculptor, artist, designer’ was published by the Dorich House Museum. ‘Serene Jade’ was modelled after Mrs. Elizabeth Choy (1910-2006), the Singapore war heroine. In 1949, when Mrs. Choy was in London, she posed for this and another sculpture, ‘Flawless Crystal’ for Gordine. Considered to be in the classical tradition of sculpture, Gordine’s works are often sensitive and insightful renderings of her subjects.
