Letter opener Gustav Gurschner ca. 1905
Large letter opener – paper knife, design Gustav Gurschner, circa 1905, bronze patinated, marked
Description
Among Jugendstil-collectors, Gustav Gurschner is best known for his bronze sculptures and objects with secessionist decoration. On this large letter opener, the frontside of the shaft is decorated with a Roman legionary. Gurschner draws the figure of the standing soldier in profile, finely working out its details like the helmet.
The centerpiece is his protective shield and is adorned with green gemstones. The Etruscan motifs, typical of Gurschner, are not to be missed here. The warlike decoration underlines the martial, almost dagger-like size of the letter opener. On the reverse are secessionist ornaments and the artist’s signature.
The centerpiece is his protective shield and is adorned with green gemstones. The Celtic motifs, typical of Gurschner, are not to be missed here. The warlike decoration underlines the martial, almost dagger-like size of the letter opener. On the reverse are secessionist ornaments and the artist’s signature.
Artist
Gustav Gurschner (Muehlendorf am Inn, Germany 1873 - 1971 Vienna) is among the most famous Austrian sculptors of the 20th century. He was a founding member of the Vienna Secession and president of the Künstlerverband Österreichischer Bildhauer (Association of Austrian Sculptors). As he lived in Paris for several years, one can recognize a clearly French influence in his characteristic, nature-related style. His remarkable talent and his extensive artistic education led him to create a large number of monuments and portraits, including the royal obelisk in Veszprém (Hungary) in 1908, the imperial monument of Hohenelbe (Czech Republic) before 1916 and a portrait of King Edward VII of England.
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