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Marble and bronze with olive green patina Austria, around 1890 Manufactory Bergmann (est. 1860) - Producers of Vienna Bronzes Prof. Tuch - Austrian sculptor Signed on the back 'Prof. Tuch' Manufactory mark 'B' in circle and triangle Rare Viennese Bronze depicting a scholar in antique style mounted on marble base Overall height: 19 cm Good condition Provenance: From the former sample stock of the Bergmann factory in Vienna Viennese bronze sculptures of this kind are quite popular collectibles due to its elaborate design This bronze sculpture from the former sample stock of the Bergmann factory in Vienna was created around 1890. It depicts the figure of a scholar in classical antique style, decorated with an olive green patina. Sitting quite relaxed on a throne whose armrests are decorated with lion heads, he holds a scroll in his hand. His body is covered with a sheet that is draped loose around his lap. The sculpture is mounted on a marble base and is signed on the back 'Prof. Tuch'. It further wears the manufactory mark 'B' surrounded by a circle and triangle. It is in good condition showing slight signs of age and wear. The figure is slightly rubbed at some parts and measures 19 cm in height. Vienna Bronze The term 'Vienna Bronze' refers to very fine cast bronzes from the period of around 1880 to 1930. The very naturalistic small sculptures depict human figures, often with exotic features, humans and animals, humorous illustrations as well as erotica. The bronzes were so fashionable that there were 80 companies in Vienna which concentrated on these products. A large number of significant artistic works was melted during the world wars to meet the metal needs of the artillery, thus the bronzes are now not only treasures but rare collectibles. The most famous manufacturer of Vienna Bronzes was the Manufactory Bergmann. Franz Xaver Bergmann (1861-1936) Franz Xaver Bergmann was the son of a bronze caster with the same name who had a small bronze foundry in Vienna. Bergmann inherited the foundry of his father and reopened it in 1900. Many of the designs however stem from the old sketch books of his father. The foundry was especially famous for its very naturalistic cold painted animal bronzes. Cold painted bronzes differ from fire glazed ones as the glaze can be applied in more layers. The knowledge on how to cold glaze is lost which makes the Bergmann bronzes especially valuable.