Franz Bergmann (Austria 1838-1894): A Fabulous “Cold Painted” Orientalist Bronze Cigarette Box Surmounted by a Bronze Figural Sculpture

An early original cold painted bronze by Franz Bergmann ( Austria 1838-1894), one of the old masters of cold painted bronze sculptures referencing Orientalist scenes, figures and imagery. This fabulous box is surmounted by an Arab boy lying front first, on a painted Persian carpet, with the box sides decorated in panels of Persian design elements and stamped with the Bergman “B” trademark under the boy and carpet. The box is lined with wood made to hold cigarettes/tobacco.  The figure and persian carpet are mostly cadmium shades of red, orange, green and silver, all with a lovely patina hue.

Cold-painted bronze’ refers to pieces cast in his foundry in Vienna (opened in 1860) and then decorated in several layers with so-called dust paint; the know-how for the mix of this kind of paint has been lost. The colour was not fired, hence ‘cold painted’. Bergmann was noted for his detailed and colorful work. He signed with either a letter ‘B’ in an urn-shaped cartouche or ‘Nam Greb’ – ‘Bergman’ in reverse. These marks were used to disguise his identity on erotic works.

Orientalist subjects, from the 17th Century onwards, became a customary or obligatory “Grand Tour of the East” for young Victorian gentlemen 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 like this cigarette/tobacco box. 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 these Orientalist subjects to cater for this market.

 This piece dating circa 1900 shows historical craftsmanship detail and quality that are truly remarkable. A prize piece for any collector.

Dimensions: width 6.5″ x depth 3.75″ x height 4.25″