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Wood-Carved Masterpieces
and
Black Forest Carvings
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Black Forest Carved Eagle (Item WOODMASTER 1-1; EAGLE 1-6) |
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DESCRIPTION: Here is an absolute masterpiece of the wood carver’s art; a consummate treasure of the art. We have never seen such
excellence in Black Forest art, before. If he were not made of wood you would swear he could fly, since every feather is so realistically
accomplished as to seem to be ready for flight. This bird of prey is large and heavy, measuring 31 inches from wingtip to wingtip, and from the
bottom of the plinth—that looks like a rock—to the top of his head it measure 16 inches. The proud eagle has always been the German icon and
this fellow personifies the image. This one practically transcends the traditional Black Forest art description. It is truly the Stoltz
Deutschen Adler in its finest portrayal.
PRICE: $6,500.00 |
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Hand-carved Lüsterweibchen from Berchtesgaden |
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DESCRIPTION: A Lüsterweibchen is a carved, female figure that is set between trophy-stag antlers from a hunt. But, sometimes, only
the carved wooden figure is seen without antlers, as this one is. The remarkable thing first about this piece is that it once graced the
 Heim or Storm Troopers’ barracks at Berchtesgaden
and it’s so marked with a stamp on its backside. We bought a lot of books from this Standarte and some uniform items that we sold, but were
quite surprised when this gorgeous lady showed up in the offerings, and we were delighted to purchase her. She is dressed in the typical
wide-sleeved dirndl so popular in medieval times. The style is strictly Bavaria or possibly Tyrolean. Dresses that are loosely based on dirndls
are known as “Landhausmode”or Trachtenmode. In any case, our lady depicted here looks like she is getting ready to sing: „Muß
i‘ den, muß i‘ den, Zum Städetele hinaus, Städetele hinaus und du mein Schatz bleibst hier.“ She may be carved from wood, but she ‘don’t
have a wooden heart ’as the song goes - - I’m sure the romantic troopers must have loved her as she hung there in their midst. She measures 16 inches top to bottom and 12 inches across sleeve to
sleeve. She is certainly a pretty Fraulein indeed, and is an artistic trophy of exciting times.
PRICE: SOLD |
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Fantastic Black Forest Carving (Item WOODMASTER 1-3; KCARVING 1-6) |
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DESCRIPTION: We have all seen the carving of deer, moose, and various animals, eagles, hunters, etc., all in the finest traditions of the
Black Forest carvers. They are all really great and deserving of inclusion in fine collections, but this one that we offer here is worthy of a
museum or a forest gallery of fine art. We have visited many of the greatest museum assemblages of such art and can say that we have never seen
anything that would be quite as finely detailed as this item is. Here is what we call unreservedly the finest detailed Black Forest carving we
have ever seen and I’m sure you will agree once you have seen the actual piece. It’s a typical scene within the perception of a typical
thatched-roof house or Festhalle within a village in the Tyrol. The scene is of folksy merriment as a Trachten-wearing couple
steps forward to begin dancing, while the other party revelers are enthusiastically watching and cheering them on. In the background at the
right a man and woman are playing the musical instruments—probably a zither. At the far right a woman prepares various delicacies for the dinner
that will follow the evening’s musical festivities. The detail of the costumes, the faces of the participants, the artistically portrayed
attitudes, the structure of the building all join to make this just about the best by far Black Forest carving that we have ever even heard of.
I’m sure you will agree if you were to see in up close. Unfortunately, pictures just don’t do it justice. The former owner did adjust it in such
a way that there is an opening at the top of the frame where he has set a light bulb on (picture light) and when lit it gives a beautiful glow
to the scene when hanging on the wall. It measures with the frame 21 x 18 inches by 3 inches deep. The carving itself is 14 x 11 inches.
PRICE: SOLD |
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Carved Wooden “Trachtenträger” or Traditional-Costumed Figure (Item WOODMASTER 1-4) |
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DESCRIPTION: The figure completely carved in wood stands 55 inches high with the wooden plinth he stands on. The figure from shoes up to
the top of his hat measures 47 inches. He is dressed in the typical Bavarian jacket known as Trachtenkleider with its jaunty oak-leaf
decoration. Under this you can see the usual green vest and around the waist can be seen a chain with five medals of the type awarded for
shooting in competition. He also wears Lederhosen, (leather breeches). His hat and socks are decorated in the typical Munich mountaineer
design. His hat is the typical style used in the Alps mountains region of Bavaria with a rosette or brush made of mountain-goat bristles, from a
chamois or Gämse. Interestingly, this device is mounted with a swivel fixture that allows the brush to remain straight up or swivel to
the side. He smokes his Bavarian long pipe with porcelain bowl and stag-horn stem. We believe that this figure was carved in the Bavarian Alps
by an excellent proponent of the art probably in the year shown on the base. Lettered there is the inscription ”Bayrischer Gutsbesitzer”
1911. This translates to “Bavarian landowner,” in other words, a true noble lord, son of the mountains. Usage? We think it could be something in
the tradition of the American cigar-store Indian; a pleasant effigy that stood outside the shop of a tobacconist. In any case, here we have a
Teutonic masterpiece of the carver’s art of the early turn of the century; more than 100 years old and still in great condition. He is ready to
dance the Shuplatter with you anytime now! Strike up the band: “Oom pah-pah, oom pah-pah.” Heil
Gemütlichkeit!
PRICE: $8,500.00 |
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Crucifix Carved in Wood from the Early 18th Century (Item WOODMASTER 1-5; OLD 7-11) |
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DESCRIPTION: Here is a large crucifix completely carved in wood that is veritably realistic. It depicts the last moments of Jesus on the cross; however, no cross, but it has a hook on the back where it was attached to a cross! We would say that this piece is from the beginning or the middle of the 18th century, or perhaps earlier. One of the reasons that would bring it to that period is the particular carving of the corpus and the very heavy soot in the wood indicate many years of being above lighted devotional candles; this is heaviest in the feet and legs. The nails and the wound from the spear of Longinus are plain to see. Jesus’ pain and suffering are evident in the depiction, but also the eternal transfiguration obviously shows through in a very touching manner. This probably hung in some monastery and how it became a trophy of war is not known, but we think it came back from the fratricidal war. We are sure it is something that would be considered an antique treasure of the western world. We know that in the war in Spain in 1936, the Communist thugs such as the Abraham Lincoln Brigade from the back streets of New York and Chicago destroyed many sacred art pieces and looted others so they could bring them here as trophies of their sacrilege. Since this showed up in the U.S. after WWII it is speculated that this could be the case. Obviously, the crucifix is of European origin carved in the typical Spanish or Italian style, but it also could be German. It measures from the head of Jesus to his feet 39 inches and hand to hand across the extended limbs, 14 inches. This is certainly a large crucifix; a true museum piece and a fine example of religious art in the tradition of the finest of western European art.
PRICE: SOLD |
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Great Meerschaum Pipe in Large Size (Item WOODMASTER 1-6) |
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DESCRIPTION: This is not a wood carving or Black Forest piece, but it’s a carving so exquisite that we felt it should be in this section. It is a masterpiece on its own and a prime example of the absolute zenith of this all-but-lost art.
It depicts a pair of ferocious male lions that seem aroused and are roaring as they advance toward a subject that we will assume is indeed in trouble. It doesn’t pay to get “Simba” angry, that’s for sure! The artist has produced a very realistic and dramatic scene that resonates with emotion and dramatic effect. The pipe is 10 inches long with the amber stem. The central theme of the lions measures about 4 inches high and the lion proceeding foremost is about 4 inches long. The background foliage is some sort of jungle tree with flowing branches that back up the beasts in a fine-looking backdrop. The stem is crafted from fine authentic amber. The original case is still with the pipe, but the hinges came apart, but could be reattached. The label inside the case top reads: “GENUINE MEERSCHAUM AND AMBER.” I would date this one about 1880 or so. This is a super example of this great artform.
PRICE: SOLD |
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Edelweiss Tray (Item WOODMASTER 1-7) |
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DESCRIPTION: This is without a doubt the most incredible Black Forest-style carving that we have ever laid eyes on. If we consider how it was done it positively boggles the mind to imagine the artistic genius that went into this masterful work of art. Study the pictures well because I think this had to be accomplished by a carver who excelled above even the greatest Black-Forest masters ever known. The incredible part is that here are the mountain edelweiss all individually carved and nestled with flowering groups of other mountain flora, so expertly depicted that the whole thing seems to be alive with the “Sound of Music” (Excuse the pun!)
Now, the almost unbelievable part! The whole presentation is carved from one piece of wood! The edelweiss are not separately adhered, nor are the bouquets of other flowers; they are all, again, carved in one continuous piece. Just take a moment to reflect in the fact that this person was able to accomplish the undercuts of the separate leaves, petals, buds, and branches. No piece of Black-Forest art comes up to this tray. Yes, we have seen some of the best Black-Forest carvings in the world, but none that could possibly come close to this one; this is truly carving mastery; this carver would have to be the Michelangelo of the carving art. We would have to guess that this treasure would probably have been accomplished in the 1860’s or earlier. It’s in beautiful condition for something so delicate. Only two edelweiss have a petal broken off and from the look of it, this happened long ago. It measures 15 inches across from handle to handle and is 10 inches wide; it’s about 2 inches deep. I just have to say it again: Incredible! Fantastic! Wonderfully beautiful! The small and old damage is hardly noticeable when your gaze is fully occupied with the glorious visage that this piece surely presents.
PRICE: A-much-too-cheap $3,500.00 |
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Patriotic Wood Carving of the Three Greatest German Leaders as Visualized (Item WOODMASTER 1-8; AH 28-2) |
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DESCRIPTION: Here is an incredible hand-carved plaque depicting the artist’s conception of the three greatest German leaders of the century: Adolf Hitler, chancellor and supreme leader of Germany 1933-1945—“der Führer” Grand Field Marshal von Hindenburg, Germany’s president and hero of WWI; he reigned as Germany’s hero personified after the Great War. Otto Leopold von Bismarck, Germany’s “Iron Chancellor” who with Hindenburg brought about German unity in 1870 after the defeat of Napoleon III. Most Germans and historians consider Hindenburg and Bismarck Germany’s greatest heroes and some of them—who are revisionists—feel Adolf Hitler was in that classification as well, but in any case, these are the men who were, in the words of Professor Revilo Oliver, “The Marchers of Destiny” (Google Dr. Revilo Oliver). The artwork is superlative indeed and here we have a significant piece of twentieth-century history in wood. Remember, the art world of realism concurs that to create realistic subjects in wood carving, especially faces, is infinitely more difficult than painting a portrait. The carving measures 27 ½ x 13 ½ inches and is about 2-3 inches thick. It is signed by the artist underneath: W. Meyer. The figures we estimate through historic extrapolation were probably carved in 1933, the year of the Machtergreifung (“seizure of power”). Hitler and the NSDAP celebrated this period of subliminal joy in the fatherland and it began a period where his image was presented by practically all the artists of Deutschland in paintings, bronzes, busts, glass images, tapestries, medallions, and in wood carvings by some of the masters of the art, and this magnificent carving that we offer is a great example of that special artistic achievement. It is a wonderful representation of “The Spirit of the Age,” “die Heldenzeit!” PRICE: $1,500.00 |
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Carved Wooden Eagle and Swastika (Item WOODMASTER 1-9; SA 14-24; GEN 14-28) |
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DESCRIPTION: Here is a carved-wood treasure from the N.S Kampfzeit (The Time of Struggle). Note: this eagle is of the style adopted by the N.S Party in the 1920s. Those familiar with the history of the Nazi Party will recognize this eagle as the style used on the cover of Adolf Hitler’s famous book, Mein Kampf. This was the first form of the national symbol of N.S. Germany’s Adler mit Hackenkreuz (eagle with swastika). The carving is striking; even better than much of the Black Forest wood-carving art. The style of this artistic offering is recognized by us as the classic eastern German art form possibly from the area of Berlin-Brandenburg or Silesia. This magnificent bird was a desk piece of an SA (Storm Troop) leader as it was the SA-Sturmabteilung corps that continuously used this particular emblem and symbol on their uniforms, flags, jewelry, and even their vehicles. The legend engraved upon the plaque affixed to the wooden figure is quite naturally the most favored bywords of the Third Reich, Germany above all! The wooden sculpture measures 15 inches high from the bottom of the base to the top of the eagle’s head. The wingspan measures 16 inches. The bottommost plinth is 12 inches x 7½ inches, while the plinth holding the plaque is 8½ x 4 inches and is 3½ inches wide. The wreath containing the swastika is 6½ inches in diameter. The plaque has another nonmobile swastika engraved at the left side and the symbol of the SA at the right and proclaimed proudly across the expanse are the glorious words from the national anthem of the German land the music of which was composed by Joseph Haydn in 1797. No song ever portrayed more nationalistic patriotism on the soul of a nation and its people than “Deutschland über alles.” Unfortunately today’s Germany is governed by liberals and the song is remarkably still used, but not with those wonderful words as its opening theme. In fact, they have banished these beautiful inspiring words along with the national colors and naturally any portrayal of the swastika is punishable with prison terms. How low can they go? Answer: “much lower!” Germany’s proud military history and its heroes of the past are downplayed in the public schooling. Its traitors glorified and its military tradition shredded with lies and horrid vilifications. So, I must confess it is a distinct pleasure to see this symbol of Germany’s past and the words of the “Deutschlandlied” proclaimed so elegantly. Happy is the feeling that I have that this marvelous relic has survived the war and preserved by a considerate cautious collector in the Fatherland for all of those years. This is surely an awesome treasure of the Reich.
PRICE: SOLD |
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Gentleman Officer’s What-Not Box of the Royal British Artillery Battery (Item WOODMASTER 1-10; BRITSCOT 4-30) |
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DESCRIPTION: Here is a fabulous hand-carved wooden box or chest that is decorated on top and all around with elaborately carved oriental dragons and in the center there is a beautiful crest of the Royal Artillery with its crown and cannon. The word under the crown is “UBIQUE,” Latin for “Everywhere,” followed by “QUO FAS ET GLORIA DUCUNT” (Where Right and Glory Lead), which is the motto of the Royal Artillery. It was founded in 1716 and still is active today. It took an active part in the Chinese Boxer Rebellion in 1900 and the Second China War, as well. The chest was either commissioned by an artillery veteran of these conflicts, or presented by a grateful oriental participant who opposed the Boxers and revolutionaries. But, it is obviously made in the Far East. The box is large measuring 12 x 8 inches across the top and 4 inches deep. Inside the lid when opened we can see two more intricately carved dragons that support a circular design. There is a tray divided into four compartments to hide various possessions and when this tray is lifted out there is another compartmentalized section divided in three sections. This chest surely can be called the “Dragon’s depository” as there is no shortage of these beasts so revered by Oriental mythology. What better place to hold the precious memories garnered by a member of this illustrious unit of Britain’s military might that was expended in some of England’s colonial wars that prior to WWI and WWII, perhaps actually should have been fought with numerous exceptions of course.
PRICE: $1,400.00; SPECIAL: reduced to $985.00 |
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Carved Wood Tobacco Humidor that Depicts a Skull with a Snake (Item WOODMASTER 1-11; USARTICLES 3-27) |
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DESCRIPTION: Here is a primitive American woodcarving that is a tobacco humidor in the shape of a human skull with a viper slithering through the eye sockets and getting ready to devour a toad. It is clever how the artist depicted the snake whose goal is to imbibe the toad. The measurement with cap is 7½ inches high. The opening for tobacco refilling is about 4 inches in diameter. The skull has a removable cap upon which the toad sits. Part of the snake’s body serves as a handle of sorts. This is a very interesting piece of American primitive art; a rather macabre art object, but nonetheless interesting.
PRICE: SOLD |
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Beautifully Carved Wooden Plate from the “Kampfzeit” (Struggle for Power) (Item WOODMASTER 1-12; NSD 22-3; SA 15-2; ART 18-7; BRE 1-7) |
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DESCRIPTION: This is without a doubt the most beautiful carved commemorative plate that we have ever seen and certainly with the greatest meaning. In 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed as Reichs Chancellor. The whole meaning of the plate is to commemorate this important world event. The plate has at the top a swastika within the figure of rising a sun. The central design is the large, early NS Party eagle perched upon the early nonmobile swastika that is within a wreath with the date “1933” below it. The meaning is quite deep and has to do with the Machtergreifung (The Seizure of Power). Behind the eagle’s wings are sprays of oak leaves and acorns, the ancient German symbol of victory. Along the edges are the separate cutout words “GROßDEUTSCHLANDS ERWACHEN” (Greater Germany’s Awakening). Below the wreathed swastika are the watchwords (“Freedom and Bread”) of the NS movement “Freiheit u. Brot.” The plate measures 11 inches in diameter. It is in wonderful condition with no parts of the carving missing. All of the artwork is deeply cut and raised. It is probably the finest woodcarving that we have ever seen and would be considered not only extremely rare but also exceedingly beautiful when one looks at the carved wording that is all individually hand cut with fantastic skill; you can realize that this is one of the true artistic treasures of the early Third Reich.
PRICE: SOLD |
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Please refer to item designator in parentheses in all correspondence.
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