Antique Art Deco Bronze Dragon Sculpture Presented to Portuguese José Pontes

Rare antique Art Deco Bronze Sculpture of the Dragon, (made only one example) presented to the José Pontes (1879-1961). Sportsman, journalist, doctor and politician, and a WW1 veteran for the Portuguese participation in the Allied Exhibition of Works, and Works of Disabled Soldiers of the War 1914-1918: Ghent, 14-22 April 1923.
 
Exposition Interalliee des Oeuvres et des Travaux des Soldats Invalides de la Guerre 1914-1918: Gand, 14-22 Avril 1923.
 
The dedication engraved on the dragon chest reads:
 
a M Jose Pontes Souvenir de la participation Portuguese à l' Exposition des Invalides Cand 14/22 avril 1923.
 
Translation in English: a M Jose Pontes Souvenir of the Portuguese participation in the Invalides Exposition Cand 14/22 April 1923.
 
An extremely well modeled, and superbly executed, with stunning details, a bronze sculpture of a dragon, to achieve such fine details, was made from several elements. The main body of the dragon wings and the tang are made separately, and then put together.
 
This artwork most likely was made by an artist which was also a WWI veteran and participated in this exhibition.
 
In 1923 a book had been published about this exhibition” Premiere Exposition Interalliee des Oeuvres et des Travaux des Soldats Invalides de la Guerre 1914-1918: Gand, 14-22 Avril 1923”. By Victor Hendricx.
 
Please see the link below:
 
https://archive.org/details/premiereexpositi00vict
 

CONDITION: In very good condition with nice old patina.
 

MEASUREMENTS: Overall length: 43 cm (16.93 inches). Height: 23 cm (9.06 inches.). Width: 20cm (7.87 inches).
 
Please view the links below for more information about José Pontes:
 
https://www.google.ca/?gfe_rd=ctrl&ei=WLYhU6eIJamD8QewoYCgDQ&gws_rd=cr#q=José+Pontes+(1879-1961)
 
http://forumolimpico.org/pontes-jose