Rare Vienna Bronze Cats, early 20th c. with Cat Musician in green cap playing a zither and 2 Cats Dancing on a woven Rug. Attributed to Bergmann. Measures 3" wide 2" high PROVENANCE: A Private Charleston SC Collection. Franz Xaver Bergman (or Franz Xaver Bergmann) (1861-1936) was the owner of a Viennese foundry who produced numerous patinated and cold-painted bronze Oriental, erotic and animal figures, the latter often humanized or whimsical, humorous objects d'art. Noted for his detailed and colorful work. His father Franz Bergmann was a professional chaser from Gablonz/Bohemia who came to Vienna and founded a small bronze factory in 1860. His son Franz Xaver Bergmann (1861 - 1936) inherited the company and opened a new foundry in 1900. Many of the bronzes from the 1900s were still based on designs from his fathers workshop.He was not a sculptor himself as often described wrongfully. There were many anonymous sculptors, hired temporarily by the workshops. At the turn of the 19th/20th Century, there were about fifty workshops producing Vienna Bronzes.

good, minor wear