Franz Xavier Bergman born in Austria was a Viennese sculptor who produced numerous cold-painted bronze Oriental and animal figures. Noted for his detailed and colourful work, and signing either a 'B' in an urn-shaped cartouche or 'Nam Greb' - 'Bergman' in reverse. These marks were used to disguise his identity on erotic works. 'Cold painted bronze' refers to pieces cast in Vienna and then decorated with oil paint. The colour was not fired hence "cold painted". Sensuous poses of young women in the Art Nouveau style were disguised by a covering that revealed all when a button was pushed or a lever moved. Often carefully sculpted animals, such as bears, could be opened to reveal an erotic figure inside. Bergman best known for his orientalist bronzes, erotic bronzes, animals, Middle Eastern Lamps, & Indians.