Collie Dogs on the Lid

Description

This is a late-19th to early-20th-century inkwell featuring a heavy, clear cut-glass base and a decorative cold-painted bronze lid.

• The Glass Base: The base is a thick, square block of glass featuring deep, light-refracting facets. The design is known as a “notched prism” or “sawtooth” pattern, characterized by the sharp, zig-zag vertical and diagonal cuts along the sides that give the piece its brilliant, crystalline appearance.
• The Lid: The circular hinged lid is made of patinated brass and serves as a stage for two exceptionally detailed Collies.
• The Dogs: These are “cold-painted” figures—a technique where cast bronze is decorated with multiple layers of oil-based “dust paint” without firing, allowing for the realistic, matte texture of the fur. One dog is a traditional sable and white, while the other is a tricolor (black, tan, and white). They are modeled in alert, naturalistic poses.

Origins & Maker

• Where was it made? It was made in Vienna, Austria. The specific combination of naturalistic animal figures and cold-painted finishes is the signature of the “Vienna Bronze” (Wiener Bronzen) industry.
• Who made it? While many foundries in Vienna produced these, the most famous and likely candidate is the Franz Bergmann foundry. Other notable makers include Fritz Bermann or Titze.
• How old is it? It dates to the late 19th or early 20th century, roughly between 1890 and 1910. This was the golden age of Viennese bronze desk accessories, coinciding with the popularity of the Collie breed.