Oval bronze vase Gustav Gurschner ca. 1908

Gustav Gurschner was very successful with his small sculptural objects, such as statuettes, candelabra or vases. As a sculptor, he became famous for his monumental equestrian statues, busts and reliefs of European monarchs, aristocrats and other dignitaries of his time. Among others, he modeled King Carol I of Romania and his wife Maria. Expressively for her he designed this outstanding oval bronze vase, according to a handwritten inscription on an original photo of the vase: “Vase made for queen Maria”.
The main feature on this impressive vessel is its oval shape, also recurring in the elliptic elements of the relief-like decoration which covers almost the entire surface. Elliptical medallions are lined up in bands, alternately decorated with stylized ornaments or plain, smaller diamond-shaped elements interspersed in between. A wavy relief rim separates the upper, richly decorated part from the greenish patinated foot section with smooth surface. The version of this vase in gilded bronze is truly a magnificent object worthy of a royal household.
The stylized ornaments are characteristic of Gurschner. At the same time, the rhythmic arrangement of the decor clearly reflects the Secessionist taste, prevailing in modernist circles in Vienna at that time.The main feature on this impressive vessel is its oval shape, also recurring in the elliptic elements of the relief-like decoration which covers almost the entire surface. Elliptical medallions are lined up in bands, alternately decorated with stylized ornaments or plain, smaller diamond-shaped elements interspersed in between. A wavy relief rim separates the upper, richly decorated part from the greenish patinated foot section with smooth surface. The version of this vase in gilded bronze is truly a magnificent object worthy of a royal household.
The stylized ornaments are characteristic of Gurschner. At the same time, the rhythmic arrangement of the decor clearly reflects the Secessionist taste, prevailing in modernist circles in Vienna at that time.