A "Vienna bronze" ink well - image-1

Lot 1849 Dα

A "Vienna bronze" ink well

Auction 1196 - overview Cologne
20.05.2022, 10:00 - Decorative Arts incl. Highly Important Mortars the Schwarzach Collection Part IV.
Estimate: 800 € - 1.000 €

A "Vienna bronze" ink well

Brown patinated zinc cast painted in enamels, glass. Vanitas still life comprised of a skull, owl and books. With four screws on the underside to open the piece. Inscribed GESCH on the book spine, jug mark, model no. 4015. The glass eyes of the owl and some screws replaced, localised losses to the enamel pigment. H 11.5, W c. 12, D c. 9.5 cm.
Attributed to Franz Xaver Bergmann, around 1900.

Literature

Cf. Hrabalek, Wiener Bronzen, Munich 1991, p. 65, there listed under 4015/1 and 4015/2 with two other versions with an owl perching on a book. Cf. also ibid. p. 91 and 115.