Description
A Viennese Secession bronze tankard by Alfonso Canciani, dating to circa 1905. The tankard is modelled as the head of a Chinese man with a pronounced handlebar moustache and tightly drawn hair gathered into a traditional queue, the plait ingeniously forming the functional handle to the reverse.
Cast in bronze with a stable flat base, the tankard features an intentionally uneven rim which complements the sculptural modelling of the face. The expressive features, deeply cast moustache and carefully worked hair give the piece a strong sense of character while demonstrating Canciani’s distinctive approach to decorative bronze during the early twentieth century.
When handled, the tankard has a reassuring weight and sits comfortably on its flat base. The sculptural quality is immediately apparent, with the queue seamlessly incorporated into the design as both a decorative and functional element.
The handle is signed by the Imperial Royal Art Foundry, K. K. Kunst Erzgiesserei, confirming the foundry responsible for its production. Designed by Alfonso Canciani, the tankard reflects the bold artistic direction of the Viennese Secession movement, where sculptural form and functional objects were often combined in innovative ways.
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Measurements
18xm High x 18cm Long x 15.5cm Wide ( 7.1 x 7.1 x 6.1 Inches)
Condition
Excellent
Literature
This design documented in the catalogue of artificial bronzes of the K. K. Kunst-Erzgieserei : Branch of the Berndorfer Metalwareen-Fabrik Arthur Krupp Vienna, IV. Gusshausstrasse 25. (Katalog über Kunstbronzen der K. K. Kunst-Erzgiesserei : Filiale der Berndorfer Metalwaaren-Fabrik Arthur Krupp Wien, IV. Gusshausstrasse 25) Page 78 Number 1309 “Vase
Chinesenkopf von R. Canciani 20 cm hoch.
Who Was Alfonso Canciani (1863-1955)?
was a famous Italian-Austrian sculptor of the period of accession to the Viennese Secession. Throughout his illustrious career he obtained a large amount of awards and recognition for his extremely high profile sculptures. Working between Italy and Vienna he jumped from the Viennese Secession to a more vigorous way of sculpting in 1910 focusing more on figures, busts and similar. He became a renewed Italian sculptor and many of his works now reside in museums and private collections around the world including in his home area of Cormons, Friuli.
Who Was 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.
What was the Viennese Secession?
was an art movement closely related to Art Nouveau. It was formed in 1897 by a group of Austrian painters, graphic artists, sculptors and architects, including Josef Hoffman, Koloman Moser, Otto Wagner and Gustav Klimt. Alfonso Canciani was invited to join the secession after his notable works within the ‘Art Nouveau’ theme.
What is Jungenstil?
Jungenstil was artistic style that arose in Germany about the mid-1890s and continued through the first decade of the 20th century, deriving its name from the Munich magazine Die Jugend (“Youth”), which featured Art Nouveau designs.
What is Art Nouveau?
was an international style of art and architecture, especially the decorative arts. It was inspired by natural forms such as the curves of plants and flowers. Other characteristics of Art Nouveau were a sense of dynamism, movement and the use of modern materials particularly iron, glass and ceramics to create unusual forms. It was popular between 1890 and 1910 during the Belle Époque period and before the First World War. It was a reaction against the academic art, eclecticism and historicism of 19th century architecture and decoration.
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