Johann David Hollenbach (1810-1871) was an esteemed Viennese metalwork designer, bronze caster and metal fabricator. He produced his own designs but also cast (or crafted) the metalwork creations for other artists and designers. His foundry cast bronzes for sculpture artists and produced the metal "mountings" which were used as components for larger pieces (for example, the bronze decorative elements which might be mounted upon a clock or a piece of furniture).
Hollenbach's works embellished the finest homes, palaces and cultural institutions—in Vienna and farther afield. He served the Habsburg family (including the Emperor, Franz Josef), as well as Napoleon III of France and the Russian Tsar's royal family. He created the magnificent electrified candelabras in the Vienna State Opera. And his work can be seen in the Hofburg Museum.
When the Ringstraße—the elegant ring road encircling Central Vienna—was begun in the 1850's, Hollenbach received many commissions for grand (and expensive) metalworks used to decorate the luxurious homes which lined the boulevard. This ring road corresponds to the outline of the medieval city walls, which were built beginning in the 1200's. The new Ringstraße became the premiere location for Vienna's grandest 19th Century bourgeois homes—called Palais—and these aristocrats spared no expense in pursuit of grandeur.
David Hollenbach had a more humble upbringing, far from the glamour of Vienna's Ringstraße. He was born in Ansbach, Germany, and trained as a belt-maker in Nürnberg. He moved to Vienna in 1835 and opened a belt-making workshop. Of course, belt-making involves metal casting (for example, the brass buckles), and by 1840, Hollenbach had expanded into metal casting. Artists, designers and craftsmen brought their designs to his foundry to be cast or fabricated. (To see a short video about one of his bronze sculptural castings, click here.) He also became a master of enameling on bronze—a service which allowed him to further embellish the items he was producing for his customers. His reputation grew and he was awarded numerous design awards at exhibitions—internationally and domestically. Hollenbach never forgot his birth town of Ansbach. As he became increasingly successful, he supported the trade school back in Ansbach—which today is known as the Platen-Gymnasium Ansbach.
The firescreen, shown above, was made by the Hollenbach workshop and is dated 1882, a few years after his death. Pierced brass creates a fretwork of scrolling botanicals. The brass fretwork is set within a bronze frame. Although one may only light the fireplace a few weeks a year, this screen will be a compelling statement piece year 'round. Click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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