A COLD-PAINTED BRONZE FIGURE OF A MOORISH BOY ON A CARPET
Franz Xavier Bergman, Vienna, Austria, late 19th – early 20th century

Modelled as a reclining North African or Middle Eastern boy resting on his elbows with legs raised, clad in striped robes and a fez, his body rendered in finely cast bronze with remnants of polychrome cold-painted decoration, the figure affixed to a finely detailed rectangular bronze base cast in imitation of a patterned Oriental carpet, its borders and field decorated in rich tones of red, ochre, black and cream with stylised geometric motifs, the underside bearing the typical Bergman monogram stamp (a B within an urn), and a faded metal assay mark, fitted with three flat screws securing the figure to the base.

14.5cm x 10.5cm

Franz Xavier Bergmann (1861–1936) was one of the leading figures of the late 19th-century Viennese bronze tradition, known for his detailed and often whimsical orientalist figures, many of which depicted genre scenes of Arab street life, harem interiors, and animalier subjects. This figure is characteristic of Bergman foundry’s smaller, collectible bronzes mostly made for European and American export markets around 1900. A similar example was successfully sold at Bonhams London, 23 – 24 February 2021, The Gentleman's Library Sale, Lot 153.