Seal Gustav Gurschner ca. 1900

The versatile sculptor Gustav Gurschner was an artist between the times, as this accessory for a study or office well shows. Living at the turn of the 20th century, Gurschner could make use of the well-known formal canon of the cultured bourgeoisie and served a clientele that belonged to it.
This seal is a relic from a time when people still used to affix seals to documents.
It is decorated with the bust of a woman. An antique warrior with helmet and spear is depicted on the column-shaped shaft. It shows the ancient Greek god of war, Ares, as the inscription in Greek letters “ARIOS” indicate. “KNIDION”, on the other hand, provides information about Aphrodite of Knidos, who, according to Greek mythology, is said to have had an illicit love affair with Ares.
The pleasing object still bears the initials “S.B.” of the previous owner.