Franz Bergman – Viennese cold-painted bronze lizard with a mechanical mouth 1900 - 1909

Franz (NamGreb) Bergmann

BronzeMetal
7 ⨯ 23 ⨯ 16 cm
ConditionVery good
Price on request

Antiques Emporium

• About the artwork
  This exquisite early 20th-century cold-painted bronze sculpture portrays a remarkably realistic lizard, showcasing the exceptional craftsmanship characteristic of the renowned Viennese sculptor Franz Bergman. Bergman, a prolific artist and manufacturer based in Vienna during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, hailed from a family with a rich tradition in the art of bronze casting. The Bergman foundry, founded by Franz’s father, became synonymous with quality and innovation in bronze sculpture production.
  
  Franz Bergman himself was celebrated for his mastery of the cold-painting technique, a method perfected by generations of Bergman artisans. His ability to imbue bronze sculptures with lifelike detail and charm earned him widespread acclaim among collectors and connoisseurs of fine art.
  
  The bronze workmanship of this piece is of exceptional quality, capturing the intricacies of the lizard’s form with stunning realism. Notably, the sculpture features an interactive element: the lizard’s mouth can be opened using the right foreleg as a lever, adding a playful touch to its lifelike appearance.
  
  Stamped at the base with a distinct “B” enclosed within an urn-shaped mark, alongside the signature are the markings “Geschützt” and the number “4133”. These additional markings further authenticate the piece and attest to its place within the Bergman catalogue.
  
  Dimensions:
  Height: 70mm / 2.76”
  Width : 165mm / 6.49″
  Length: 230mm / 9.06”
  
  Condition: Excellent
  
  Literature:
  A Schiffer Book – Antique Vienna Bronzes – Jospeh Zobel. Page 11
• About the artist

  Franz Xaver Bergman (or Franz Xaver Bergmann) (1861–1936) was the owner of a Viennese foundry which produced various Oriental, erotic and animal figures. His father, Franz Bergmann (1838–1894), was a professional chaser from Gablonz who moved to Vienna.

  He established a small bronze factory in 1860. After his son Franz Xaver Bergmann inherited the company, a new foundry was set up in 1900. Many of the bronzes were, nevertheless, still based on designs from his father's workshop. Bergman’s workshops employed many sculptors, such as Bruno Zach. At the turn of the 19th century there were about fifty workshops producing Vienna bronzes.

  The Bergmann foundry was closed in 1930 due to the Great Depression. It was reopened some years later by Robert Bergmann, son of Franz, and operated until his death in 1954 when the remaining stock and molds were sold to Karl Fuhrmann & Co.
  
  He signed his work as well with an alias 'NamGreb' ; anagram for Bergman (in reverse).

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