Kunshtyuki: mini-masterpieces with a secret (14 photos)

Perhaps the most symbolic object of art is the matryoshka doll. doll with many attachments. But in the history of art there were others not less interesting items with a secret. A striking example is kunshtyuki.





These figurines gained popularity in the middle of the 19th century. Exactly due to its unusualness, since the figurine is in fact was not quite what it seemed at first glance.

Now sophisticated consumers cannot be surprised with a souvenir - a female figure, which, when you press a hidden button, turns into Eve's costume And in the century before last, something like this was akin to a miracle.



Like, for example, this owl is the work of the Austrian sculptor Franz Bergman. The owl is a symbol of wisdom. Additional reference - a stack of books, on which the bird nestled.



But as soon as you press the hidden button, the goddess of wisdom, Athena, will appear before the eyes of the astonished audience.



And this is no less famous kunshtuk "Sarcophagus". When opening figurines inside reveals a naked beauty in a seductive pose.



Franz Bergman is a professional chaser who founded the world famous foundry. The business was continued by his son Franz Xavier Bergman (1861-1936). He was not a professional sculptor, but he had a good artistic taste and perfectly felt the desires of consumers. The data is not confirmed, but there were rumors that he was the author of some works, but did not recognize this fact, deciding to remain exclusively administrator.



The main themes of the factory were oriental, erotic and animal figures, as well as humorous art objects.






Kunstyuki with an erotic component were especially popular with men. And in many collections or just working cabinets there were trinkets that seemed ordinary at first glance, which with a slight movement of the hand turned into another - already erotic version source.






A double-lidded snuffbox could contain obscene Images. A porcelain ashtray or inkwell decorated with modest beauty, in a second turned into a naked Venus.