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CHINEUR ANTIQUES

A Vienna Porcelain Sculpture of a Seated Panther by Franz Barwig
1886 -1931: Circa 1925
A sleek, stylized porcelain panther sculpture by Franz Barwig
depicts the animal in a seated position, observing the
surroundings. The panthers’ muscles and features are smoothly
rendered with minimalist details, suggesting power and grace
without intricate detailing. The glossy white finish of the porcelain
adds to the elegance and simplicity of the form. The mounting of
the Panther on a plinth enhances the prominence of the figure,
giving it a sense of monumentality despite its modest size.
The sculpture includes the signature’ FB’ in the upper right
corner of the plinth. The underglaze blue mark on the base is the
hallmark of the Augarten porcelain manufactory, indicating the
quality and origin of the porcelain. The impressed pattern number
on the underside is ‘1630’.
The design reflects the early 20th-century European modernist
styles, focusing on form and line over ornamentation.
Franz Barwig (1868 -1931) was an Austrian sculptor known for
his naturalistic and expressive animal sculptures. His work is
characterized by a deep understanding of animal anatomy, which
allowed him to create lifelike representations in various mediums,
including bronze and wood.
Barwig taught at the School of Applied Arts in Vienna, influencing
a generation of Austrian sculptors.
His pieces often capture moments of tension, movement, or
repose, highlighting not just the physical but also the subjects’
perceived emotional state. Barwig’s work was part of the
naturalist trend in early 20th-century European art, which sought
to depict subjects in a lifelike and often idealized form.
$2,635