Large antique Viennese cold-painted bronze lamp of a princess by Bergman

Large antique Viennese cold-painted bronze lamp of a princess by Bergman
Austrian, c. 1910
Height 42cm, width 24cm, depth 13cm
 
Crafted by the renowned Franz Xaver Bergman (1861-1936) using the very complex and lost technique of cold-painting, this bronze sculptural lamp depicts an interesting scene.
 
A princess is reclining atop a chaise lounge while a young Arab boy is standing with a fan in one hand next to her. Her musical instrument lies on top of the polychrome rug on which she is lying. Both figures are dressed in typical Orientalist-style clothing, with shades of gold, green and red predominating.
 
Covering the protagonists is a canopy, its design inspired by Islamic architecture. It features several pierced arabesque decorations through which the light can shine. Surmounting the canopy is a crescent moon, a significant symbol of Islam. Two twisted pillars support the canopy as well as the richly patterned rug that hangs from it. A palm tree plant adds greenery to the scene.
 
The lamp is stamped with a ‘B’ in an urn-shaped cartouche, ‘Nam Greb’ as well as ‘MADE IN AUSTRIA’.
Of an eye-catching design, this figurative lamp would be a superb home décor addition.
 
A very similar example is featured in Joseph Zobel, Antique Vienna Bronzes, page 197.
 
Artist/Maker: Franz Xaver Bergman