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Bronze, gold-colored patinated; light grey marbled stone Austria, around 1910 Franz Xaver Bergmann (1861-1936) - Viennese bronze founder With inscription on the plinth 'Wiener Bronzen / Franz X. Bergmann' Bronze figure of one his ice skating daughters Business card tray Total dimensions: 20 x 19 x 17 cm (height x width x depth) Good condition A highlight in the collection of Vienna Bronzes from the former private possession of Franz Xaver Bergmann himself This piece from the Viennese bronze founder Franz Xaver Bergmann originates from the private possession of the artist and depicts one of his two daughters at a young age, who were both talented at figure skating. In the typical manner of the Vienna Bronzes also this piece is crafted in fine chased work and expression. The girl is swinging on her skates in a gallant way, dressed in a fabulous skating gown with beautifully rimmed seam. The plinth is personally inscribed with 'Wiener Bronzen / Franz X. Bergmann' (= Vienna Bronzes / Franz Xaver Bergmann). Die business card tray and the bronze are in good condition with age-appropriate traces of wear. The sculpture is slightly loose on the plinth. The total dimensions, including the bowl, are 20 x 19 x 17 cm (height x width x depth). 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. 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 to 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.