Mid-century cold-painted bronze lamps by Franz Xaver Bergmann (aka Nam Greb), Austria

Franz Xaver Bergmann (or Franz Xaver Bergmann) (July 27, 1861 – January 1, 1936) was the owner of a Viennese foundry who produced numerous patinated and cold-painted bronzes, Oriental, erotic, and animal figures, the latter often humanized or whimsical, humorous objets d'art.

Bergmann was noted for his detailed and colorful work. He signed with either a letter 'B' in an urn-shaped cartouche or 'Nam Greb' – 'Bergman' in reverse. These marks were used to disguise his identity on erotic works.

His father, Franz Bergmann (September 26, 1838 – 1894), was a professional chaser from Gablonz who came to Vienna and founded a small bronze factory in 1860. Franz Xavier Bergmann inherited the company and opened a new foundry in 1900. Many of the bronzes from the 1900s were still based on designs from his father's workshop.

Bergmann is often incorrectly described as a sculptor, but he was not; he more... was a foundry owner. He worked with a team of sculptors, including Josef Lorenzl, who created the original models for many of the bronzes.

Bergmann's work was popular in the early 20th century and was exhibited at major international fairs, including the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1900. His pieces are now in the collections of museums around the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. less...