Bronze Inkstand with Grouse – Signed

This is a fine example of a Vienna Bronze inkstand by the Austrian sculptor Friedrich Gornik. Based on the anatomy and the specific focus on “game” subjects common in Gornik’s work, the birds are Capercaillies (wood grouse) or Black Grouse, depicted in a naturalistic, rugged woodland setting.

Detailed Description

• Subject Matter: The inkstand features two birds—a male grouse in a dramatic “lekking” or display pose with its tail fanned out and head lowered, and a female (or second bird) perched nearby. The base is sculpted to mimic a rocky, mossy forest floor.
• The Inkwell: On the right side, a hollowed-out tree stump serves as the ink reservoir. It features a hinged bronze lid that opens to reveal a removable clear glass insert.
• Material & Patina: It is cast in solid bronze with a rich, dark brown “chocolate” patina. The texture is tactile, showcasing the “impressionistic” surface modeling for which Gornik was known.
• Markings: The back of the base is signed “F. Gornik” in the casting. Next to it is the square “AR” foundry mark within a recessed frame.

Origin and Manufacture

• Where: Made in Vienna, Austria.
• When: Late 19th to early 20th century (circa 1900–1915). This was the height of the “Vienna Bronze” era and Gornik’s most productive period for desk sets.
• Foundry: The AR mark stands for the Arthur Rubinstein foundry in Vienna. Rubinstein was a renowned founder who collaborated closely with top Austrian sculptors of the period (including Gornik, Karl Perl, and Ferdinand Lugerth) to produce high-quality decorative bronzes.

About the Artist and Foundry

Friedrich Gornik (Austrian, 1877–1943)

Gornik was a highly respected animalier (animal sculptor) born in Carinthia. He studied at the Vienna School of Arts and Crafts (Kunstgewerbeschule) under Arthur Strasser.

• Style: He was famous for his ability to capture the “psychology” of animals, moving away from stiff poses toward dynamic, lifelike snapshots of nature.
• Legacy: His work is held in prestigious collections, including the Belvedere Gallery in Vienna. While he created large-scale monuments, he is best known to collectors for these functional “desk bronzes.”

Arthur Rubinstein Foundry

While less “commercial” than the famous Bergmann foundry, Rubinstein was synonymous with quality and prestige. The foundry specialized in “sand-casting,” a process that preserved the fine details of the artist’s original clay model. The partnership between Gornik and Rubinstein resulted in some of the most sought-after Austrian bronzes of the Art Nouveau and early Art Deco periods.