Franz Bergmann Vases and Vessels
Austrian, 1838-1894
There were many bronze foundries operating in Vienna in this period, but it was Bergman’s which became the most celebrated, working with a number of celebrated Viennese sculptors at the turn of the 20th Century, such as Bruno Zach, to produce designs for his famous bronze figures.
Bergman bronzes are especially famous for having utilised a technique for decorating the bronzes called cold painting. Cold painting as a technique developed in Vienna in the late 19th Century, and involved the application of several layers of paint added to the bronze after firing. It was used to make fashionable collectors’ items.
Bergman figures came in three main forms: animal figures, Orientalist sculptures, and erotic figures in the Art Nouveau style. His animal figures were often whimsical and humorous, and often satirical. They have become highly sought-after collectors’ items today.
Bergman’s Orientalist sculptures are equally highly sought-after. He was producing these figures at a time when interest in the exotic lands of the Middle East and North Africa was at its peak among Europe’s artists and buyers.to
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Creator: Franz Bergmann
Franz Xavier Bergmann, Sculptural Bud Vase, Vienna Bronze, circa 1900
By Franz Bergmann
Located in New York, NY
Dimensions
Height: 7.25 inches
Width: 5.25 inches
Depth: 4.5 inches.
Markings
Fully marked on the bottom with a "B" in an urn-shaped cartouche (for “Bergmann”), and “GESHUTZED” (German: “PROTECTED).
ABOUT
What distinguishes this unique bud vase from others is a perfect synthesis of a utilitarian object and a Fine sculpture. It is not only the amazing subtlety and taste of the author’s artist skills, but an extraordinary design and an absolutely outstanding original plot. Designed for a single flower only, it is nonetheless a very complex and multifaceted composition filled with warm humor and fantasy. Sitting on a vessel shaped as a gourd, clasping its goat legs with hooves and holding on to the neck with one hand in order not to fall of it; a playful and mischievous faun holds by the tail a fleeing lizard with the other hand.
FRANZ XAVIER BERGMANN (Austrian, 1861–1936) was the owner of a Viennese foundry who produced numerous patinated and cold-painted bronze oriental, erotic and animal figures, the latter often humanized or whimsical, humorous objects d'art. Cold painted bronze refers to pieces cast in Vienna and then decorated in several layers with so-called dust paint; the expertise for the mix of this kind of paint has been lost. The color was not fired hence "cold painted". Mainly women working...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Jugendstil Antique Franz Bergmann Vases and Vessels
Materials
Bronze
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Additional Information
Height: 13 cm
Condition: Excellent Original Condition
Circa: 1900
Materials: Cold Painted Bronze
Book Ref Antique Vienna Bronzes by Joseph Zobel
SKU: 8245
ABOUT
Bergman Vases
Arab Bronze Franz Bergman Sculptures
Bergman Vases – 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.
Orientalist Subjects
From the 17th Century onwards it was customary to go on an educational tour of the East– the Grand Tour – as an educational rite of passage. Visiting countries and experiencing customs they had only ever heard about in stories, these young men were keen to show their families mementos of their experience, especially the lavish subjects of the Middle Eastern Arab world. The return trip would usually include a visit to Vienna, and here the ‘souvenir’ shops supplied a plethora of beautifully crafted sculptures with an Orientalist Arab flavour. These were often acquired to show their friends and families images of their travels. Bergman was noted for his detailed and colourful work and he produced a huge number of Orientalist subjects to cater for this market including this Arab Tent Lamp...
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H 5.12 in W 0 in D 0 in
Franz Bergmann vases and vessels for sale on 1stDibs.
Franz Bergmann vases and vessels are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Franz Bergmann vases and vessels, although gold editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original vases and vessels by Franz Bergmann were created in the Art Nouveau style in europe during the early 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider vases and vessels by Wiener Werkstätte, K.K. Kunst-Erzgiesserei Wien, and Gustav Gurschner. Prices for Franz Bergmann vases and vessels can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,200 and can go as high as $3,239, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,719.