Is this camel a military toy? Who made it? (1 Viewer)

[GABatGH]

We found a very heavy box that we thought was all opium weights. Well it wasn't, and there was quite a bit of other things in it that we didn't know was at the bottom of the box.

This camel is four inches long and has quite a large makers mark on the bottom but I cannot decipher it. All I have is GESCH and that it ends in T. I've played around with names in Google but cannot figure it out. I also haven't a clue what the symbol is above the word.

Anyone know what it is?

There were a number of other small military figures in the box so I'm wondering if it's a military toy...

Thanks!

 

[DMNamiot]

Very cool figure I will dig through my books and see if I can find anything on it

Dave

 

[DMNamiot]

One question is it hollow or solid cast?

 

[theBaron]

It strikes me as a piece made for a Nativity scene. The logo will be the key to ID'ing the maker. “GESCHŰTZT”, literally, "protected" in German, indicates a registered trademark. The mark also suggests to me a piece made before WWII, possibly before the First World War.

Prost!
Brad

 

[DMNamiot]

Ok I found it, The maker is an Austrian Firm called Bergmann, The figure is made of bronze and they did a lot of figures of Arabs and Camels etc. The give away was the word Geschutzt with the Jar or urn with a B in it. I am not sure the Soldier goes with it but if you do some work on line you may be able to turn up a catelogue from the maker they were based out of Vienna. I would guess its late 19th and or early 20th century figure from 1880 to 1914 or so but I could be off I believe they were in production to about 1936. The figure number on the bottom should help if you can find a catelogue for the company.

Here is some more info on the maker: Franz Xaver Bergman (or Franz Xaver Bergmann) (1861–1936) was the owner of a Viennese foundry who produced numerous patinated and cold-painted bronze Oriental, erotic and animal figures, the latter often humanized or whimsical, humorous objects d'art. Noted for his detailed and colorful work and signing either a 'B' in an urn-shaped cartouche or 'Nam Greb' 'Bergman' in reverse.

I am not sure of value but you should be able to figure that out easily

Great find.

Dave

 

[GABatGH]

It strikes me as a piece made for a Nativity scene. The logo will be the key to ID'ing the maker. “GESCHŰTZT”, literally, "protected" in German, indicates a registered trademark. The mark also suggests to me a piece made before WWII, possibly before the First World War.

Prost!
Brad

GESCHŰTZT! Aha! I couldn't get that at all.

Looking around online, it seems that it might be Austrian bronze.

One question is it hollow or solid cast?

There's no clear evidence, but it seems heavy and weighs 123g/4.3oz

 

[GABatGH]

Ok I found it, The maker is an Austrian Firm called Bergmann, The figure is made of bronze and they did a lot of figures of Arabs and Camels etc. The give away was the word Geschutzt with the Jar or urn with a B in it. I am not sure the Soldier goes with it but if you do some work on line you may be able to turn up a catelogue from the maker they were based out of Vienna. I would guess its late 19th and or early 20th century figure from 1880 to 1914 or so but I could be off I believe they were in production to about 1936. The figure number on the bottom should help if you can find a catelogue for the company.

Here is some more info on the maker: Franz Xaver Bergman (or Franz Xaver Bergmann) (1861–1936) was the owner of a Viennese foundry who produced numerous patinated and cold-painted bronze Oriental, erotic and animal figures, the latter often humanized or whimsical, humorous objects d'art. Noted for his detailed and colorful work and signing either a 'B' in an urn-shaped cartouche or 'Nam Greb' 'Bergman' in reverse.

I am not sure of value but you should be able to figure that out easily

Great find.

Dave

That's awesome! I too found Bergmann, but for a different piece in the same box! That piece is a Moorish boy laying on his stomach, trying to feed a monkey. I haven't been able to find that piece either...

 

[DMNamiot]

post a pic of the boy too just for fun, also I found a few moorish boys and others on line so there has to be someone out there who has the company catelogue since the number on the bottom of the camel is clearly an ID number for them.

Dave

 

[GABatGH]

post a pic of the boy too just for fun, also I found a few moorish boys and others on line so there has to be someone out there who has the company catelogue since the number on the bottom of the camel is clearly an ID number for them.

Dave

I just wish it wasn't so beat up. I've seen authentic versions of these sell for over a thousand dollars. Even if this *is* authentic, it'll never get that value unless it's some long lost variety...

 

[DMNamiot]

I agree that they are in poor condition. What I would look in to is seeing if there is a person near you who might have the ability to restore or at least clean them up with out doing more damage. I think they are pretty wonderful but they do need to be cleaned up if possible.

Dave