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ID #SA1223264
FOR SALE
£950
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Early 20th Century Cold-painted Bronze Entitled "Boy Reading" by Franz Bergman
Hickmet Fine Arts
for sale €1,112     $1,207
£950
Hickmet Fine Arts

Hickmet Fine Arts

Sellingantiques Verified Since Apr 2012
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    Established in 1936, hickmet fine arts is an international family run antiques business
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    Hickmet Fine Arts is a registered member of LAPADA  BADA  CINOA
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Id #SA1223264
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Early 20th Century Cold-painted Bronze Entitled "Boy Reading" by Franz Bergman

1900 - 1920
Description

A delightful cold-painted bronze modelled as a young Arab boy seated in quiet concentration, absorbed in reading from a parchment held delicately in his hands. Signed with the Bergman “B” for Franz Bergman, the figure displays fine detail and sensitive modelling, from the expressive face to the relaxed posture. His pale robe contrasts beautifully with the darker patina of his skin, while the red cap or 'fez' adds a vivid accent. The composition conveys innocence, curiosity, and the intimate poetry typical of Viennese bronze craftsmanship.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Height: 8 cm

Width: 5 cm

Depth: 8 cm

Condition: Excellent Original Condition

Circa: 1900

Materials: Cold Painted Bronze

Book Ref Antique Vienna Bronzes by J Zobel

SKU: 9611

ABOUT

Bergman Boy Reading

Franz Bergman Sculptures

Franz Bergman (1861–1936) was one of the most celebrated Viennese makers of cold-painted bronze sculptures, renowned for his highly detailed and often exotic subjects. Working in Vienna during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Bergman produced a wide range of figures that captured the imagination of collectors, combining fine casting with meticulous hand-applied colour.

Cold painting, a technique in which pigments are applied directly onto the bronze surface rather than fired, allowed for remarkable realism and vibrancy. Bergman’s workshop became particularly known for its animalier subjects, including finely observed studies of cats, dogs, birds, and more unusual creatures such as reptiles. Lizards, frogs, snakes, and other small animals were rendered with striking accuracy, their textures and natural colouring carefully depicted through delicate brushwork. These pieces often conveyed a sense of liveliness and character, despite their modest scale.

In addition to animals, Bergman also produced Orientalist figures, erotic subjects, and humorous compositions, many marked with the distinctive “B” in an urn-shaped cartouche. His work reflects both technical mastery and a fascination with storytelling through sculpture.

Today, Bergman bronzes are highly sought after for their craftsmanship, condition of original paint, and variety of subject matter. Animal and reptile examples, in particular, are prized for their charm, naturalism, and decorative appeal, representing a unique fusion of sculpture and painting in early 20th-century Vienna.

Physical Dimensions
Height
8cm (3.15")
Width
5cm (1.97")
Depth
8cm (3.15")
Declaration

Hickmet Fine Arts has dated this Franz Bergman Bronze Sculpture to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1223264
Dealers Internal Reference
9611
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 delightful cold-painted bronze modelled as a young Arab boy seated in quiet concentration, absorbed in reading from a parchment held delicately in his hands.
“
Signed with the Bergman “B” for Franz Bergman, the figure displays fine detail and sensitive modelling, from the expressive face to the relaxed posture.
Hickmet Fine Arts

His pale robe contrasts beautifully with the darker patina of his skin, while the red cap or 'fez' adds a vivid accent. The composition conveys innocence, curiosity, and the intimate poetry typical of Viennese bronze craftsmanship.

fig 1. A cold-painted bronze figurine depicting a seated boy wearing a cream robe and red cap while reading.
fig 1. Early 20th Century Cold-painted Bronze Entitled "Boy Reading" by Franz Bergman

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Height: 8 cm

Width: 5 cm

Depth: 8 cm

Condition: Excellent Original Condition

fig 2. A cold-painted bronze figurine depicting a seated boy wearing a cream robe and red cap while reading.
fig 2. Early 20th Century Cold-painted Bronze Entitled "Boy Reading" by Franz Bergman

Circa: 1900

Materials: Cold Painted Bronze

Book Ref Antique Vienna Bronzes by J Zobel

SKU: 9611

fig 3. A cold-painted bronze figurine depicting a seated boy wearing a cream robe and red cap while reading.
fig 3. Early 20th Century Cold-painted Bronze Entitled "Boy Reading" by Franz Bergman

ABOUT

Bergman Boy Reading

Franz Bergman Sculptures

Franz Bergman (1861–1936) was one of the most celebrated Viennese makers of cold-painted bronze sculptures, renowned for his highly detailed and often exotic subjects. Working in Vienna during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Bergman produced a wide range of figures that captured the imagination of collectors, combining fine casting with meticulous hand-applied colour.

fig 4. A cold-painted bronze figurine depicting a seated boy wearing a cream robe and red cap while reading.
fig 4. Early 20th Century Cold-painted Bronze Entitled "Boy Reading" by Franz Bergman

Cold painting, a technique in which pigments are applied directly onto the bronze surface rather than fired, allowed for remarkable realism and vibrancy. Bergman’s workshop became particularly known for its animalier subjects, including finely observed studies of cats, dogs, birds, and more unusual creatures such as reptiles. Lizards, frogs, snakes, and other small animals were rendered with striking accuracy, their textures and natural colouring carefully depicted through delicate brushwork. These pieces often conveyed a sense of liveliness and character, despite their modest scale.

fig 5. A cold-painted bronze figurine depicting a seated boy wearing a cream robe and red cap while reading.
fig 5. Early 20th Century Cold-painted Bronze Entitled "Boy Reading" by Franz Bergman

In addition to animals, Bergman also produced Orientalist figures, erotic subjects, and humorous compositions, many marked with the distinctive “B” in an urn-shaped cartouche. His work reflects both technical mastery and a fascination with storytelling through sculpture.

fig 6. A cold-painted bronze figurine depicting a seated boy wearing a cream robe and red cap while reading.
fig 6. Early 20th Century Cold-painted Bronze Entitled "Boy Reading" by Franz Bergman

Today, Bergman bronzes are highly sought after for their craftsmanship, condition of original paint, and variety of subject matter. Animal and reptile examples, in particular, are prized for their charm, naturalism, and decorative appeal, representing a unique fusion of sculpture and painting in early 20th-century Vienna.

Height
8cm (3.15")
Width
5cm (1.97")
Depth
8cm (3.15")
Date of Manufacture

Hickmet Fine Arts has dated this Franz Bergman Bronze Sculpture to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1223264
Dealers Internal Ref
9611
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
A cold-painted bronze figurine depicting a seated boy wearing a cream robe and red cap while reading.
1 / 11
Archive I A cold-painted bronze figurine depicting a seated boy wearing a cream robe and red cap while reading.

Early 20th Century Cold-painted Bronze Entitled "Boy Reading" by Franz Bergman

Archive II A cold-painted bronze figurine depicting a seated boy wearing a cream robe and red cap while reading. View II
Archive III A cold-painted bronze figurine depicting a seated boy wearing a cream robe and red cap while reading. View III
Archive IV A cold-painted bronze figurine depicting a seated boy wearing a cream robe and red cap while reading. View IV
Archive V A cold-painted bronze figurine depicting a seated boy wearing a cream robe and red cap while reading. View V
Archive VI A cold-painted bronze figurine depicting a seated boy wearing a cream robe and red cap while reading. View VI
Archive VII A cold-painted bronze figurine depicting a seated boy wearing a cream robe and red cap while reading. View VII
Archive VIII A cold-painted bronze figurine depicting a seated boy wearing a cream robe and red cap while reading. View VIII
Archive IX A cold-painted bronze figurine depicting a seated boy wearing a cream robe and red cap while reading. View IX
Archive X A cold-painted bronze figurine depicting a seated boy wearing a cream robe and red cap while reading. View X
Archive XI A cold-painted bronze figurine depicting a seated boy wearing a cream robe and red cap while reading. 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
A cold-painted bronze figurine depicting a seated boy wearing a cream robe and red cap while reading.
Early 20th Century Cold-Painted Bronze entitled "Boy Reading" by Franz Bergman
Ref: SA1223264
A cold-painted bronze figurine depicting a seated boy wearing a cream robe and red cap while reading.
Detail View 1
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FAQs

Vienna cold-painted bronzes are cast bronze sculptures produced in Austria during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, decorated with layers of unfired enamel paint.

These sculptures were cast in bronze using lost-wax casting methods and subsequently hand-painted with oil-based or enamel paints without firing.

Authentic pieces often feature a foundry mark shaped as a letter B within an urn, accompanied by impression numbers on the base.

Position the figure on a dark wood desk or amongst books on a shelf to create a historical focal point.

Remove dust with a soft, dry brush or microfibre cloth, ensuring no liquid solvents, water, or abrasive polish are applied to the delicate surface.
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