Magnificent Antique (Ca. 1900) Austrian Cold-painted Bronze Lizard by Franz Bergman

Name: Magnificent Antique (Ca. 1900) Austrian Cold-painted Bronze Lizard by Franz Bergman
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1027989
Availability: SoldOut

1900 - 1920

Sold by Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art

Description

A striking study of a large curled lizard with excellent naturalistic cold-painted colour and fine hand-finished detail (such as inlaid eyes) by Franz Xavier Bergman (1861-1936). Signed with the Bergman 'B' in an amphora vase, numbered (4133) and stamped 'Geschutzt' (registered). Measures 22cm (8.5in) x 21cm (8.25in) x 7cm (2.75in), weight 850g.

Lovely original condition with very little wear - no damage or repairs.

Franz Bergman is the most famous of the Viennese cold-painted bronze artists, celebrated for his superb attention to detail and wonderful vibrant colours. His father (also Franz Bergman, 1838-1894) was a professional chaser (embosser) from Gablonz (Austria) who moved to Vienna and founded a small bronze factory in 1860. Franz Xavier inherited the company and opened a new foundry in 1900, where he created numerous cold-painted bronze figures, whereby cast bronzes were decorated in several layers of polychrome ‘dust paint.’ The layers weren’t fired to fix them to the bronzes, hence they are ‘cold-painted’ (a process that has since been lost).

Physical Dimensions

Height

7cm (2.76")

Width

24cm (9.45")

Depth

23cm (9.06")

Declaration

Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art has dated this piece to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1027989

Dealers Internal Reference

AD529/23

Description

A striking study of a large curled lizard with excellent naturalistic cold-painted colour and fine hand-finished detail (such as inlaid eyes) by Franz Xavier Bergman (1861-1936).

“

Signed with the Bergman 'B' in an amphora vase, numbered (4133) and stamped 'Geschutzt' (registered).

Antik Dragon Japanese & Other Fine Art

Measures 22cm (8.5in) x 21cm (8.25in) x 7cm (2.75in), weight 850g.

fig 1. Magnificent Antique (ca. 1900) Austrian Cold-Painted Bronze Lizard by Franz Bergman — fig 1. Magnificent Antique (Ca. 1900) Austrian Cold-painted Bronze Lizard by Franz Bergman

Lovely original condition with very little wear - no damage or repairs.

Franz Bergman is the most famous of the Viennese cold-painted bronze artists, celebrated for his superb attention to detail and wonderful vibrant colours. His father (also Franz Bergman, 1838-1894) was a professional chaser (embosser) from Gablonz (Austria) who moved to Vienna and founded a small bronze factory in 1860. Franz Xavier inherited the company and opened a new foundry in 1900, where he created numerous cold-painted bronze figures, whereby cast bronzes were decorated in several layers of polychrome ‘dust paint.’ The layers weren’t fired to fix them to the bronzes, hence they are ‘cold-painted’ (a process that has since been lost).