Antique Franz Bergman Bruno Zach Cold Painted Bronze Peacock with Fanned Train
By Bruno Zach, Franz Bergmann
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This fabulous bronze peacock was made at Franz Bergman's Vienna foundry and bears the name of sculptor Bruno Zach. The highly detailed sculpture is beautifully cast and features cold painted polychrome decoration. The peacock's crested head is turned slightly to the left and its magnificent fanned tail feathers - also known as a train - are realistically rendered and arch forward as they rise. The train has splayed feathers at both ends that rest flat on the display surface, preventing instability. The feathers have been finished with white shafts and greenish-gold vanes while the ornamental black eyespots are accented with metallic rose and copper colored paint. It should be noted that the back of the bird's train is also highly detailed lending visual interest if viewed from the front or the rear. The peacock's head and body are painted in a silvery color while the painted decoration on the head includes large white masks and black eyes that are ringed in orange. The bird's angled beak is finished in yellow and has well defined upper and lower sections. The peacock's wings are positioned parallel to its body and extend back beyond the train. The outside of each wing is accented in mottled copper and black paint while the rear portions bear a series of painted copper and black stripes. The bird's thin legs are finished in gray and have black spurs at the back. Its long toes terminate in sharp black talons. The peacock is in very good condition with no replacements or repairs. As an antique, the piece shows signs of age including minor areas of paint loss that are noted for accuracy. It stands 8" at the tallest point of the train and is 11.5" as measured across the widest points of the train. The piece is 3.25" at its deepest point. The back of the train bears a partially legible Bergman amphora-shaped foundry mark with a B at the center. It is also signed 'Zach' in cast at the underside of one section of tail feathers for sculptor Bruno Zach who had a history of collaborating with Bergman to edit and cast some of his works. The peacock weighs 3lbs 2oz. This lovely antique Vienna Bronze peacock sculpture...
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Ohio - Decorative Objects
Bronze
