Signed 1973 Jean Pons French folk art religious sculpture/key holder hand-carved and hand-painted in polychrome wood.

This sculptural wall-mounted piece functions as both artwork and practical household object, opening along concealed hinges to reveal an interior key storage compartment. The figure depicts a stylized religious subject holding a key and blessing gesture, executed with exaggerated expressionist facial features and bold color contrasts characteristic of Pons' highly individual visual language.

Jean Pons (1913–2005) was a French painter, engraver, illustrator and sculptor who founded Atelier Pons in Paris, collaborating with and printing works for major twentieth-century artists including Wassily Kandinsky, Nicolas de Staël, Serge Poliakoff and Robert Delaunay. While best known for his painting and lithography, sculptural works by Pons are considerably less common and combine modernist expression with folk-art sensibilities.

An unusual crossover piece blending religious iconography, French folk sculpture and functional design.

Measurements:

Height: 16"

Width: 4.25"

Depth: 2.25"

Signed and dated to reverse:

J. Pons

73