{"product_id":"asset-pack-85766078466-example-product-3","title":"Berlin Iron Busts of Goethe and Schiller After Leonhard Posch","description":"\u003cp\u003eA Curated 19th Century Homage to Germany’s Literary Titans: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe \u0026amp; Friedrich Schiller\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffered here is an extraordinary, museum-grade collection that bridges the physical and literary legacy of the Weimar Classicism era. \u003cbr\u003eThe set features a fine and rare pair of Berlin iron in patinated bronze portrait table busts alongside an evolutionary pairing of Rudolf Gottschall’s famous anthology, Gedankenharmonie aus Goethe und Schiller (featuring the scarce 2nd Edition and the spectacular 5th Edition).\u003cbr\u003eThese antique sculptures date to the era of the Enlightenment, Neoclassicism, and the Grand Tour, reflecting a period of far-reaching influence on style and taste in Britain, Continental Europe, and beyond—true elegance in the age of Napoleon. Perfect for a connoisseur’s cabinet or an upscale library, this set represents the absolute pinnacle of early 19th-century German metal casting and late 19th-century industrial bookbinding.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Sculptural Masterpieces: \u003cbr\u003eThese are an exceptional, fully magnetic pair of portrait busts. It is Berlin Iron in Patinated Bronze, featuring a highly sought-after chemical bronze finish (bronzierter Eisenkunstguss). This premium finishing technique was utilized by Prussian royal foundries to combine the razor-sharp sand-casting precision of iron with the classical warmth of bronze.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eManufacturer \u0026amp; Modeler: \u003cbr\u003eAfter Leonhard Posch (Austria, 1750–1831, Berlin). Posch famously produced a series of cast-iron portrait busts capturing the essential writers and philosophers of the early 19th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSignature \u0026amp; Marks: \u003cbr\u003eThe sculpture of Goethe is inscribed underneath the back edge: Posch F., a traditional convention where only one bust in an intended pair bears the artist's mark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; Date: \u003cbr\u003eAustria\/Germany, Circa 1810.\u003cbr\u003eThe Foundry History: Attributed to the master foundries of Berlin or Gleiwitz. The Royal Prussian Iron Foundry in Gleiwitz (modern-day Gliwice, Poland) was a royal ironworks established in 1796 by Friedrich Wilhelm II. It pioneered the use of British designs from Wedgwood to produce decorative ironware, cannons, and industrial products. Operating until 1872, it became a significant industrial site during Prussian industrialisation, contributing immensely to the region's development.\u003cbr\u003eThe Mounts: The busts are elegantly seated on premium Italian marble. They feature a green verdigris (serpentine) marble base resting upon a stepped white marble foot.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCondition: The iron retains a gorgeous, multi-toned patina with wear strictly commensurate with age. \u003cbr\u003ePlease note that there are chips on the corners of the white marble bases, and slightly on the green serpentine marble as well. Please see the photos for a detailed view of the condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Literary Legacy: The Antique Books\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccompanying the busts is a sequential bibliographical set showcasing the textual and aesthetic evolution of the poets' shared wisdom.\u003cbr\u003eThe 2nd Edition (1863, Hamburg)\u003cbr\u003ePublished by the Vereinsbuchhandlung during the anthology's early, regional era.\u003cbr\u003eFeatures the scarce, early color plates illustrated by Jules Vogel.\u003cbr\u003eRepresents the delicate, transitional mid-century phase of German cloth gilding.\u003cbr\u003eThe 5th Edition (1875, Leipzig)\u003cbr\u003eA spectacular Prachtausgabe (splendor edition) published by C.F. Amelang.\u003cbr\u003eBound by the legendary steam-powered J.R. Herzog Buchbinderei, complete with the original, intact green binder's ticket on the inner endpaper.\u003cbr\u003eThe vibrant, bright red textured cloth cover features a striking terracotta-toned composite cameo of Goethe and Schiller, designed by the Gerhold brothers, set into a crimson velvet underlay.\u003cbr\u003eContains eight beautiful color plates by renowned illustrator Paul Thumann.\u003cbr\u003eCondition Note: The interior pages are clean and bright. As is typical for luxury bindings of this specific era and construction, there is historic chemical offsetting (ghosting) on the front and rear endpapers from the underlying binding glues and leather\/cloth turn-ins. This is entirely stable and dry, posing no risk to the structural integrity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDimensions:\u003cbr\u003eGoethe Bust\u003cbr\u003eHeight: Approx. 22.5 cm\u003cbr\u003eWeight: 1459 g\u003cbr\u003eBase Dimensions: Approx. 7.5 cm x 7.5 cm (at the widest points of the white marble foot)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSchiller Bust\u003cbr\u003eHeight: Approx. 22 cm\u003cbr\u003eWeight: 1488 g\u003cbr\u003eBase Dimensions: Approx. 7.5 cm x 7.5 cm (at the widest points of the white marble foot)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBooks\u003cbr\u003eFormat: 8° (Octavo)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis collection will be professionally packed with the utmost care, utilizing custom-cut materials and double-boxing to ensure the Italian marble, early 19th-century iron, and antique bindings arrive in pristine condition. Shipped fully insured with tracking and signature required.\u003cbr\u003ePlease review all photographs closely, as they are a central part of the description. Feel free to reach out with any questions regarding the provenance, materials, or history of this remarkable Enlightenment-era set.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mother's Silverware ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57814538977624,"sku":"009","price":3800.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/9202\/7224\/files\/20260604_142442.jpg?v=1785239425","url":"https:\/\/motherssilverware.com\/products\/asset-pack-85766078466-example-product-3","provider":"Mother's Silverware ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}