This sculpture is actually utilitarian. It was constructed as a serving piece. On close examination you can find various scenes from the movie. Chico Marx is painted onto the back of Mrs. Claypoole's evening gown, playing the piano with his comical one finger method. Butterflies are escaping from inside Chico’s piano and flying all over the gown and around the 2 figures, alighting on the serving platter, inside the top hat, etc.
"A Night at the Opera"
Low fire slip and glaze, 16" x 17" x 2"
"After casting this image in plaster to make this tile I was able to use the plaster cast to create the following piece, "Marx Brothers Druthers"
Chico Marx playing piano in his films, with Harpo in a duet. Keep watching, you'll be smiling for sure. Excerpts are from "A Night at the Opera" 1935, "A Day at the Races" 1937, "At the Circus", 1939, "Go West" 1940, "The Big Store" 1944 and "A Night in Casablanca" 1946.