Franz Bergmann, Viennese Bronze & Marble Erotic Sculptural Vide Poche, ca. 1900

Details

Description

Dimensions:
Height (w/ skirt down): 6.75 inches (17cm).
Height (w/ skirt up): 8.5 inches (21.25 cm).
Diameter of marble base: … Read more Dimensions:
Height (w/ skirt down): 6.75 inches (17cm).
Height (w/ skirt up): 8.5 inches (21.25 cm).
Diameter of marble base: 6.25 inches (15.63 cm).

Rendered in the best Art Nouveau traditions of the world-famous Viennese foundry of Franz Xavier Bergmann, this exquisite desk-size gray & burgundy veined marble vide poche is adorned with a patinated and cold-painted Viennese bronze statuette of a provocative topless oriental dancer. In addition to the extremely elaborated outfit and rich jewelry, as the part of the composition, the marble base partially covered by a naturally crumpled floor rug with a lovely multicolor pattern, which makes the whole scene even more realistic.

The sculptor depicted her frozen in a sensuous and rather candid pose - shyly tilting her head to one side and coquettishly holding her short skirt with her thin fingers, she playfully lifted her slender leg, before her next step just above the round depression in the marble. However, the most piquant in this luxurious trinket is a perfectly disguised secret - the front of the skirt is skillfully suspended on tiny loops, discreetly located in her hands, and easily lifts up with a finger, revealing the beautiful exotic dancer in all the beauty of her perfect nakedness.

Noted for his detailed and colorful work, Bergman was signing his creations with either a "B" in an urn-shaped cartouche, or "Nam Greb" - for "Bergman" in reverse. These marks used to disguise his identity on the erotic art works. However, in most cases with erotic sculpture, he preferred to stay anonymous and leave them unsigned; exactly as this Bronze & Marble Erotic Sculptural Vide Poche with Surprise, ca. 1900 that we have a pleasure to present to your attention here.

Franz Xavier Bergmann (1861–1936) was the owner of a Viennese foundry who produced numerous patinated and cold-painted bronze oriental, erotic and animal figures, the latter often humanized or whimsical, humorous objects d'art. Mainly women working at home - a typical cottage industry - carried out the painting. Cold painted bronze refers to pieces cast in Vienna and then decorated in several layers with so-called dust paint; the expertise for the mix of this kind of paint has been lost. The color was not fired hence "cold-painted". See less