Viennese cold-painted bronze sculptural desk piece by Bergman

This very fine sculpture was crafted by Franz Xaver Bergman (1861-1936), a renowned Austrian artist, in around 1910. Depicting a charming scene, its design is unusual for pieces of this type.

On the cobbled and rocky road grows a tall palm tree, its leaves wonderfully detailed and coloured in a vibrant green. Below stands a majestic camel on which sits a male figure. The camel’s body is adorned with red and green items, while the man’s body is draped with cream clothing. A string of vibrant red beads is placed across his chest. On his shoulder hangs a shield while a spear is securely gripped by his hand.

On a step in front, stands another figure, dressed in vibrant shades of blue, red and yellow, his facial expression and body posture suggesting he is observing something in the distance. The cold-painting technique has been utilised by the Austrian maker, enabling him to achieve such vivid colouration in the sculpture. 

A large container, possibly a well, is positioned behind the protagonists alongside two urns. The container could be used as a pen holder.  

The piece bears the maker’s mark, a ‘B’ in an urn-shaped cartouche as well as the ‘GESCHÜTZT’ stamp in addition to an inventory number ‘2369’.

A rare design for a piece by Bergman, this sculptural desk piece would make a magnificent adornment to one’s office space.