Unusual Viennese Orientalist cold-painted bronze lamp of a cobbler

Crafted in the early 20th century in the typical Viennese cold-painting manner, the lamp depicts a charming scene set at a shoe cobbler.

The lamp depicts three shoe cobblers working inside a typical Orientalist surrounding. The brick walls include a small window, and the roof is made from several textiles and rugs protecting the figures from the sun or rain. On the wall hangs a large pair of silver scissors, a tool very useful for a cobbler. The wooden support holding up the roof is also a space where further pairs of shoes are displayed.

Two male figures are sitting atop a table raised by what appears to be bamboo sticks. The figure on the left is holding a piece of textile with his left hand while his right hand is raised. His facial expression suggests he has been caught mid-speaking. The male sitting beside him is mending a red shoe, both of his hands occupied with threads. Another male figure is crouching in front of them. On his wooden bench are numerous shoes which need to be fixed.

All figures are dressed in a similar manner. Each one is wearing a loose-fitting red garment held together by a polychrome belt. Their heads are covered with richly coloured turbans and red head coverings.

The piece is stamped ‘AUSTRIA’.

The process of cold painting, largely forgotten today consisted of applying several layers of unfired dust paint to the bronze objects. This method created wonderfully coloured designs.

The portrayal of an unusual Orientalist scene of shoe cobblers as well as its high quality makes this lamp a superb addition to one’s collection of Orientalist or cold-painted works of art.