Viennese cold-painted bronze and marble figurative sculpture by Bergman

Viennese cold-painted bronze and marble figurative sculpture by Bergman
Austrian, c. 1910
Height 25cm, width 31cm, depth 10cm
 
Franz Xaver Bergman (1861-1936), a renowned Austrian artist crafted this superb figurative sculpture in around 1910. It depicts an Arab man taming a leashed panther.
 
The man is scarcely dressed only the bottom half of his body covered with clothing. His arms and torso are decorated with intricate jewellery and his head is covered with a turban. In both hands, he is tightly holding onto a chain which is controlling the wild cat in front of him. The elegant panther is looking towards the observer, the artist superbly highlighting its anatomical features such as its eyes.
 
Both the man and the animal are mounted on a marble base, its grey colouration wonderfully matching the deep brown and green tones of the cold-painted bronze sculptures on top.
 
The piece is stamped with ‘GESCHÜTZT’ alongside other markings.
 
With an animal theme predominating, this remarkable Bergman sculpture would be a magnificent addition to the collection of anyone interested in animals or Viennese bronzes.
 
Artist/Maker: Franz Xaver Bergman