Early 20th Century Set of Jugendstil Cold-Painted Bronze Sculptures of Buddha and a Gilt Priestess by Franz Bergmann, Austria

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Set of Jugendstil cold-painted bronze sculptures of Buddha and a gilt Priestess by Franz Bergmann, Austria

By: Franz Bergmann, Nam … Read more Set of Jugendstil cold-painted bronze sculptures of Buddha and a gilt Priestess by Franz Bergmann, Austria

By: Franz Bergmann, Nam Greb
Material: bronze, copper, tin, metal, paint
Technique: cast, molded, patinated, polished, metalwork, painted, hand-painted, cold-painted, gilt
Dimensions: 2.5 in x 3.5 in x 5.5 in
Date: early 20th century
Style: Jugendstil, Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau, Vienna Secession, Belle Époque
Place of origin: Austria

A seemingly serene depiction of a meditative Buddha in dark patinated bronze subtly conceals a more enigmatic interior—a gilt bronze priestess, rendered in meticulous detail and seated in quiet introspection. The exterior, sculpted with soft modeling and adorned with a repetitive design, opens on a hinge to reveal the gilded figure within, whose composure and sensuality offer a striking contrast to the stoic outer shell. Cold-painted accents on the jewelry and headdress enhance the mystical aura of the inner figure.

Signed ‘Nam Greb’—a known pseudonym of Franz Bergmann, celebrated for his orientalist and erotic bronzes—this work embodies the synthesis of spiritual symbolism and Jugendstil aesthetics, where craftsmanship and allegory converge in unexpected harmony. See less