An excellent early 20th Century Austrian bronze study of a young Arab boy wearing a fez and holding a cigar whilst reclining on a straw rug next to an Orientalist table. The surface of the bronze with rich cold painted colours and very fine hand finished detail, signed with the Bergman 'B' in an amphora
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Height: 10 cm
Width: 14 cm
Depth: 14cm
Condition: Excellent Original Condition
Circa: 1900
Materials: Cold Painted Bronze
Book Ref Antique Vienna Bronzes by Joseph Zobel
SKU: 9420
ABOUT
Bergman Reclining Smoking Boy
Franz Bergman Sculptures
Bergman is celebrated for his great attention to detail and wonderful vibrant colours, Franz Xavier Bergman (1861-1936) is, arguably, the most famous of the Viennese cold-painted bronze artists, delighting in producing Oriental, Arab bronze and animal subjects, including Harem beauties, Arab tradesmen, Scribes and Arab Warrior and almost every animal subject that was known at the time.
His father, also Franz Bergman (1838–1894), was a professional chaser (embosser) from Gablonz, Austria who came to Vienna and founded a small bronze factory in 1860. Franz Xavier inherited the company and opened a new foundry in 1900. There he created numerous cold painted (so named because the numerous layers of polychrome paint, applied to the bronze, were not fired to fix them to the metal) figures. Many other bronzes were still based on designs by Franz Bergman, the elder.
Animal Subjects
Animal figures can, occasionally, be found for a few hundred pounds, though sculptures in pristine condition and larger figures can be worth several thousand pounds. Value is affected by condition. The cold painted decoration is relatively easy to damage and worn Enamel will reduce value considerably. Restoration can also reduce the value considerably, especially when done in a non-sympathetic manner.
For a further selection of sculptures by Bergman please click on Franz Bergman Sculptures
