Object Description
Austrian cold-painted bronze figure by Franz Xaver Bergman
Austrian, Early 20th Century
Height 31cm, width 21cm, depth 14cm
This intriguing sculpture was made in early 20th century Austria, by Franz Xaver Bergman (1861-1936). He was an important and renowned maker of cold-painted bronzes, in particular ones made in the Orientalist style like the figure in Mayfair Gallery’s collection.
The sculpture portrays a male on his way back from a hunting trip. On his shoulders, he is carrying a small antelope. He is holding the animal with one hand while the other rests on the large gun swung across his back. The figure is dressed in typical Orientalist clothing, his waist occupied with several items. Around his polychrome belt hangs a bag, a metal ornament with tassels as well as a knife in a leather case. All parts of the bronze are wonderfully coloured with the cold-painting technique, one largely forgotten today.
This decorative piece bears the ‘B’ mark in an urn-shaped cartouche alongside ‘GESCHÜTZT.’ testifying to the important maker.
This wonderful piece by Bergman would make a superb addition to one’s collection of cold-painted sculptures.