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ID #SA1144581
FOR SALE
£1,350
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Early 20th Century Austrian Cold-painted Bronze "Curled Snake" by Franz Bergman
Hickmet Fine Arts
for sale €1,580     $1,715
£1,350
Hickmet Fine Arts

Hickmet Fine Arts

Sellingantiques Verified Since Apr 2012
View Dealers Stock Page
  • About Us
    Established in 1936, hickmet fine arts is an international family run antiques business
  • Trade Associations
    Hickmet Fine Arts is a registered member of LAPADA  BADA  CINOA
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Id #SA1144581
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Early 20th Century Austrian Cold-painted Bronze "Curled Snake" by Franz Bergman

1900 - 1920
Description

A very fine and unusual early 20th Century cold painted Austrian bronze study of a curled snake on the move with superb naturalistic colour and excellent hand chased surface detail, signed with the Bergman 'B' in an amphora vase.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Height: 5 cm

Width: 4 cm

Length: 22 cm

Condition: Excellent Original Condition

Circa: 1900

Materials: Cold Painted Bronze

Book Ref Antique Vienna Bronzes by Joseph Zobel

SKU: 9362

ABOUT

Bergman Snake

Franz Bergman Sculptures

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.

Animal Subjects

Animal figures can, occasionally, be found for a few hundred pounds, though sculptures in pristine condition and larger figures can be worth several thousand pounds. Value is affected by condition. The cold painted decoration is relatively easy to damage and worn Enamel will reduce value considerably. Restoration can also reduce the value considerably, especially when done in a non-sympathetic manner.

Hickmet Fine Arts

Established in 1936, Hickmet Fine Arts is an international family run business and one of the world’s most important dealers in original Art Deco and Art Nouveau Antique Sculpture and Art Glass. We are located at Gallery 85 on London's famous Portobello Road where we offer a fine range of sculpture, glass and works of art from the 19th and 20th Centuries by the most famous sculptors and artists from this period.

Physical Dimensions
Height
5cm (1.97")
Width
22cm (8.66")
Depth
4cm (1.57")
Declaration

Hickmet Fine Arts has dated this Cold Painted Bronze Snake to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1144581
Dealers Internal Reference
9362
Dealers Notes

Please contact us for a shipping quotes.

Viewing can be arranged at our gallery and everything sold by Hickmet Fine Arts comes with a full certificate of Authenticity and Valuation.

If you have enjoyed seeing this item and wish to see more quality pieces please visit our website www.hickmet.com

Description
A very fine and unusual early 20th Century cold painted Austrian bronze study of a curled snake on the move with superb naturalistic colour and excellent hand chased surface detail, signed with the Bergman 'B' in an amphora vase.
fig 1. An early 20th-century Viennese cold-painted bronze figure depicting a coiled snake with realistic scale detail.
fig 1. Early 20th Century Austrian Cold-painted Bronze "Curled Snake" by Franz Bergman

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Height: 5 cm

Width: 4 cm

Length: 22 cm

Condition: Excellent Original Condition

fig 2. An early 20th-century Viennese cold-painted bronze figure depicting a coiled snake with realistic scale detail.
fig 2. Early 20th Century Austrian Cold-painted Bronze "Curled Snake" by Franz Bergman

Circa: 1900

Materials: Cold Painted Bronze

Book Ref Antique Vienna Bronzes by Joseph Zobel

SKU: 9362

fig 3. An early 20th-century Viennese cold-painted bronze figure depicting a coiled snake with realistic scale detail.
fig 3. Early 20th Century Austrian Cold-painted Bronze "Curled Snake" by Franz Bergman

ABOUT

Bergman Snake

Franz Bergman Sculptures

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.
Hickmet Fine Arts

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.

fig 4. An early 20th-century Viennese cold-painted bronze figure depicting a coiled snake with realistic scale detail.
fig 4. Early 20th Century Austrian Cold-painted Bronze "Curled Snake" by Franz Bergman

Animal Subjects

Animal figures can, occasionally, be found for a few hundred pounds, though sculptures in pristine condition and larger figures can be worth several thousand pounds. Value is affected by condition. The cold painted decoration is relatively easy to damage and worn Enamel will reduce value considerably. Restoration can also reduce the value considerably, especially when done in a non-sympathetic manner.

fig 5. An early 20th-century Viennese cold-painted bronze figure depicting a coiled snake with realistic scale detail.
fig 5. Early 20th Century Austrian Cold-painted Bronze "Curled Snake" by Franz Bergman

Hickmet Fine Arts

Established in 1936, Hickmet Fine Arts is an international family run business and one of the world’s most important dealers in original Art Deco and Art Nouveau Antique Sculpture and Art Glass. We are located at Gallery 85 on London's famous Portobello Road where we offer a fine range of sculpture, glass and works of art from the 19th and 20th Centuries by the most famous sculptors and artists from this period.

Height
5cm (1.97")
Width
22cm (8.66")
Depth
4cm (1.57")
Date of Manufacture

Hickmet Fine Arts has dated this Cold Painted Bronze Snake to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1144581
Dealers Internal Ref
9362
Hickmet Fine Arts
Hickmet Fine Arts
Sellingantiques verified Since Apr 2012

Established in 1936, hickmet fine arts is an international family run antiques business

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Hickmet Fine Arts Profile Page

Trade Associations

Hickmet Fine Arts is a registered member of LAPADA  BADA  CINOA

Relevant Links
PDF SHARE
SAVE
An early 20th-century Viennese cold-painted bronze figure depicting a coiled snake with realistic scale detail.
1 / 11
Archive I An early 20th-century Viennese cold-painted bronze figure depicting a coiled snake with realistic scale detail.

Early 20th Century Austrian Cold-Painted Bronze "Curled Snake" by Franz Bergman

Archive II An early 20th-century Viennese cold-painted bronze figure depicting a coiled snake with realistic scale detail. View II
Archive III An early 20th-century Viennese cold-painted bronze figure depicting a coiled snake with realistic scale detail. View III
Archive IV An early 20th-century Viennese cold-painted bronze figure depicting a coiled snake with realistic scale detail. View IV
Archive V An early 20th-century Viennese cold-painted bronze figure depicting a coiled snake with realistic scale detail. View V
Archive VI An early 20th-century Viennese cold-painted bronze figure depicting a coiled snake with realistic scale detail. View VI
Archive VII An early 20th-century Viennese cold-painted bronze figure depicting a coiled snake with realistic scale detail. View VII
Archive VIII An early 20th-century Viennese cold-painted bronze figure depicting a coiled snake with realistic scale detail. View VIII
Archive IX An early 20th-century Viennese cold-painted bronze figure depicting a coiled snake with realistic scale detail. View IX
Archive X An early 20th-century Viennese cold-painted bronze figure depicting a coiled snake with realistic scale detail. View X
Archive XI An early 20th-century Viennese cold-painted bronze figure depicting a coiled snake with realistic scale detail. View XI
Enlarged Archival View
Hickmet Fine Arts

Hickmet Fine Arts
Telephone 07971 850405
Location
Gallery Eighty Five
85 Portobello Road
London
W11 2QB
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/davidhickmet
Verified Since Apr 2012
Items For Sale 112
Items Sold 6
Hickmet Fine Arts
Hickmet Fine Arts
Verified Since Apr 2012
View Dealer Info
Location: Gallery Eighty Five, 85 Portobello Road, London, W11 2QB, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/davidhickmet
Verified
Apr 2012
For Sale
112
Sold
6
An early 20th-century Viennese cold-painted bronze figure depicting a coiled snake with realistic scale detail.
Early 20th Century Austrian Cold-Painted Bronze "Curled Snake" by Franz Bergman
Ref: SA1144581
An early 20th-century Viennese cold-painted bronze figure depicting a coiled snake with realistic scale detail.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
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Detail View 9
Detail View 10
Archival Detail

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FAQs

Vienna cold-painted bronzes are cast bronze sculptures produced in Austria from the late 19th to early 20th centuries, decorated using paint applied without firing. Prominent foundries like Franz Bergman created detailed animal models and orientalist figures favoured for desktop decoration.

Foundries cast these pieces using bronze casting methods before hand-chasing the metal to create detailed surface textures such as scales or fur. Several layers of oil-based cold enamel paint were then applied directly onto the raw metal surface to achieve detailed polychrome finishes.

Authentic period pieces often feature foundry marks, such as the Bergman urn stamp with an enclosed letter B, alongside model numbers stamped into the metal underside. Examiners also look for fine casting detail, age-appropriate paint wear, and the heavy weight of solid cast bronze.

These detailed metalwork objects function effectively as tactile accents on styled bookshelves, executive desks, or mantelpieces. Incorporating small bronzes within a cabinet of curiosities or alongside leather-bound volumes adds texture and historic character to contemporary spaces.

Dust the sculpture regularly using a soft, dry natural-bristle brush to prevent dirt accumulation in fine surface crevices. Avoid applying water, chemical solvents, or commercial metal polishes, as these will dissolve or strip the delicate unfired paint layer.
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