"St Bernard" by Franz Bergman

An unususal early 20th Century cold painted Austrian bronze study of a standing Saint Bernard hound. The colours of the bronze creating an impressive character finished with very fine hand chased surface detail, signed with the Bergman 'B' in an amphora vase.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Height:                                      8 cm

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Length:                                     13 cm

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Condition:                              Excellent Original Condition

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Circa:                                        1900

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Materials:                               Cold Painted Bronze

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Book Ref                                   Antique Vienna Bronzes by Joseph Zobel

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SKU:                                            8760

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ABOUT

Bergman St Bernard

Franz Bergman Sculptures

Bergman St Bernard – 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 and the Bergman St Bernard

Animal figures and birds like the St Bernard 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.

Look out for Bergman’s distinctive signature marks: a ‘B’ in a vase shape and ‘Nam Greb’. This latter, which reads ‘Bergman’ in reverse, was often used on his more erotic pieces, which were not to the taste of his more conservative clients or his family.

These include sensuous poses of young women in the Art Nouveau style, disguised by a covering that revealed all when a button was pushed or a lever moved. Carefully sculpted animals, such as bears, could often be opened to reveal an erotic female figure inside.

Bergman was noted for his detailed and colourful work. He signed with either a letter ‘B’ in an urn-shaped cartouche or ‘Nam Greb’ – ‘Bergman’ in reverse. These marks were used to disguise his identity on erotic works.

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