Description
Art Nouveau Circa 1890
From our Bronze Sculpture collection, we’re pleased to offer this patinated bronze figure of a vulture and skull by Bohuslav Schnirch.
The sculpture is cast in dark brown bronze and mounted on a black square marble base. The composition features a vulture with wings outstretched and talons gripping a human skull, poised atop a rocky outcrop. The vulture is shown in a defensive posture, its beak angled downward and body tensed, evoking the symbolic theme of Memento Mori, a visual reminder of mortality that was common in 19th century European art. The base is signed BOH. SCHNIRCH, denoting the Czech sculptor Bohuslav Bedrich Josef Schnirch (1845–1901), a noted figure of the historicist and neo-Renaissance movement in Central Europe. The side of the bronze is marked K.K. Kunst-Erzgiesserei, Wien, identifying the Imperial Royal Art Foundry of Vienna, which was active in casting high-quality bronzes during the late 19th century.
A dramatic and finely detailed work, bringing together academic casting technique and powerful symbolic subject matter from the late 19th century Central European tradition.
Bohuslav Bedrich Josef Schnirch (1845–1901)
was a renowned Czech sculptor celebrated for his monumental public works and architectural sculpture in Prague. Known for blending Renaissance-inspired artistry with national symbolism, he created key figures for the National Theatre, National Museum, and the iconic equestrian statue of George of Poděbrady. With roots in both engineering and fine art, Schnirch’s legacy lives on in Prague’s most historic landmarks, making him a lasting figure in the world of European sculpture and design.
For further information see our makers and retailers page on Bohuslav Bedřich Josef Schnirch.
K. K. Kunst-Erzgiesserei (K. K. Art ore foundry)
was an art ore foundry founded in 1750 an. Throughout its 100+ year operation a large number of monuments were cast at the factory including Hellmer’s Goethe monument, Brenek’s bust of Emperor Franz Joseph (in front of the Berndorf City Theater, Austria) and Zumbusch’s Diana (now in front of Marchegg Castle, Austria) as well as another 90 monumental works for Vienna, Berlin, Hamburg, Madrid, New York, Sydney and Melbourne to name a few. The ore foundry was demolished in 1909.
For further information see our makers and retailers page on K. K. Kunst-Erzgiesserei (K. K. Art ore foundry).
BRONZE
Bronze has been one of the most widely used materials in art and design for centuries, valued for its strength, durability, and ability to capture fine detail. Popular from ancient civilisations to the 19th century, bronze has been used for statues, decorative objects, and functional pieces alike. In the late 19th century, artists in Vienna, including Franz Xaver Bergmann, perfected the technique of cold-painting, adding rich layers of colour to bronze without firing. This innovation, along with the timeless appeal of bronze’s patina and texture, ensures that antique bronze objects remain highly collectible today.
For further information please see our article on Bronze Sculpture: History, Composition, and Casting Techniques.
MEASUREMENTS
18cm High x 15.5cm Wide x 14cm Deep (7 x 6.1 x 5.5 Inches)
CONDITION
Very Good Condition – minor wear to the marble with a few nibbles to the corners consistent with age
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