Austrian cold-painted horse head inkwell, circa 1900
A superb Austrian inkwell depicting a finely sculpted horse head enhanced with cold-painting, a technique popular in the late 19th century. This rare model, made around 1900, illustrates the virtuosity of Viennese artisans, who were able to realistically capture the expression and movement of animals. The inkwell cleverly conceals its practical utility behind a sculptural work of art.
Vienna Bronzes: A Tradition of Excellence
The Vienna Bronzes, produced mainly between the mid-19th and early 20th centuries, are famous for their finesse and thematic diversity. These works, often small in size, were made of bronze and then decorated with cold-painting, allowing for realistic details. Inspired by wildlife, genre scenes or fantastical figures, these objects combine utility and aesthetics. Their production was concentrated in the Viennese workshops, where artists such as Franz Bergman brought this art to its peak.
This inkwell is a beautiful illustration of this tradition, combining practical utility and artistic refinement, ideal for a collector or a lover of historical objects.
Austria circa 1900
Height: 16 cm.
Length: 8 cm.
Depth: 14 cm.
