Object Description
Large antique Austrian cold-painted bronze figurative sculpture by Bergman
Austrian, c. 1910
Height 33cm, width 19cm, depth 14cm
Depicting an unusual composition, this Viennese cold-painted bronze was crafted by Franz Xaver Bergman (1861-1936). He was one of the best Austrian artists of the period.
An Arab man is looking surprised at what he has just witnessed. The eyes and mouth wide open, accentuate the feeling of shock. His arms are extended to the sides as he is standing on a rocky outcrop. His body posture might suggest that he became scared of whatever appeared in front of him. He is dressed in traditional Orientalist-style clothing, the cold-painting technique highlighting the individual parts of the sculpture.
The piece stands on a pared-down round bronze plinth. On the reverse, it is stamped with the following maker’s marks: a ‘B’ in an urn-shaped cartouche, ‘GESCHUTZ’, ‘BERGMANN’ and ‘2607’.
Showcasing Bergman’s creativity and skill, this cold-painted bronze sculpture would make a superb addition to one’s collection of pieces of this type.