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Carvings
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These items pictured are not for sale. They are for decor only!
However, we do have many wonderful wood carvings for sale.
Please also see the wood items in the Third Reich section.
From the master school of wood carving at Berchtesgaden
these masks are from special pagan ceremonies carried out deep in the alps.
Please be sure to visit our Kaiser Wilhelm II collection.
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MINIATURE GARDE du CORPS HELMET (Item KCARVING 1-1) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is a masterfully carved rendition of the helmet of the Garde du Corps, the elite bodyguard
regiment of the German Kaisers. It is spectacular in that it is carved from a material that we are told
is mammoth bone. The detailing is nothing short of superb for European carving, and to look at the
details of the eagle and especially the feathers, one is taken aback with the amazing work that is
akin to the work done by talented masters of centuries gone by. This would be considered a
museum-example treasure. It needs a small glass showcase with lighting and should be displayed
all by its beautiful lonesome. The is an exceptional piece of Germanic art.
PRICE: $500.00 |
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WOODEN STATUE OF VON HINDENDURG (Item KCARVING 1-2) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is a fantastic wood carving of Germany's greatest field marshal, who won decisive victories over the Russians at Tannenberg, 1914, and the Masaurian Lakes, 1915. Paul von Hindenburg, 1847-1934, was also the president of post-WWI Germany. He was extremely popular with the German people. Many paintings, enamels, bronzes, and other art forms commemorate this, the greatest of old soldiers. But this is the first wood carving I have seen in my many years of experience in this field. It should be noted that to make an accurate likeness in wood sculpture is the very height of artistic expression; much more difficult than a painting or the clay modeling that precedes the actual sculpting of a bronze statue. Mistakes often curse such a project to doom where the other art forms can be corrected many times over. This artist, who has signed the master carving, is a man by the name of E. Renner. He can be looked up in German listings of the greatest of wood carvers. The most interesting thing about the rendering is that the Imperial Staff Chief (his WWI rank) is shown wearing the armor and garb of a Teutonic knight of old. This is Germanic tradition-to portray their leaders of note in the regalia of knighthood. Many of you have seen the later German leader A H not I ebay dressed in this manner with mount and lance. This was a famous painting that was exhibited at the House of German Art. The statue of Hindenburg is mounted on a separate plinth and may have been used as hiding place for money or jewels in a wealthy homestead??? This is definitely the type art that had cost dearly in its day. The height is near 34 inches with base. The base is 8 ½ inches square and is about 12 inches high. This is without a doubt a fantastic historic treasure worthy as a center piece for any Imperial of general Germanic collection or museum setting.
PRICE: SOLD |
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A Fine Old German Meerschaum Pipe (Item KCARVING 1-3) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is a really beautiful Meerschaum pipe carved by hand to depict the German Eagle in all its glory. It is in its original leather-covered case with velvet lining. The pipe itself is in almost perfect condition with one small carved bead missing among the 32 or so surrounding the top of the pipe bowl. Also missing is the amber stem. I understand that these are obtainable at fine tobacco shops that abound in the better shopping malls across the country. This is an extra fine example of the art with a German patriotic motif that is very inspiring to we Germanophiles!
PRICE: SOLD |
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Two Carved Wood Landsknecht Sculptures in Wood (Item KCARVING 1-4; LAND 1-9; OLD 5-9) |
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| DESCRIPTION: These are truly magnificent museum pieces in every sense of the word. Against carvings recently done in Bavaria or the Black Forest region there is absolutely no comparison. The figures are absolutely worthy of being featured in a museum or advanced art gallery. We have in many years never seen finer examples although we have viewed some of Germany’s greatest collections of wood sculpture and just nothing quite compares. The accuracy of the costuming, the human countenance of the faces, the deployment of their armor all go to speak of masterpieces in wood. From what we have been able to garner in information about when these figures were carved from German sources we are led to believe that they probably were executed in the mid 19th century and the work is considered extra typical of the carving of the south Tyrol. The armor and other costuming of the sculptures suggest historical depictions that would be from that area, as well. The figures depict Landsknecht militiamen of the first third of the 16th century. Note that we show pictures from museum sources of similarly attired Landsknechtsoldaten. The difference between the Swiss and northern Landsknecht was mainly in the style of the weapons used. The sword seen worn by one of the figures differs in that it does not have the typical s-curved cross guard. The mace he holds is the long version that was used not only as a head crusher, but because of its length, it was very effective in bringing an enemy down from his horse in a quick motion. The pole arm held by the other figure is a simple staff with what usually had an iron point. Simple, but deadly, it could be thrust into the adversary piercing chain mail or it could be hurled through the air at the enemy soldiers. The figure holding this weapon is suited in excellent armor garniture and wears an iron helmet. His upper torso is covered in chain mail. His blouse is of the typical Landsknecht flamboyant style. The armor covers only the chest and upper leg area. His back has no vital covering. The other figure wears no actual armor, but has a full tunic of chain mail. He wears a full protective helmet and the cloak usually worn by officers. The cloak was often of bright woolen weave. The figures measure between 14 and 15 inches generally, not counting the height of the weapons. The faces of these men are individual, but the artist has put true character in each one. They could practically breathe; they are so realistic. So what you see here are examples of the pride of Germany’s wood sculpture art. These figures could hardly be executed today even by the best of the Tyrolian carvers. The condition is excellent. The figures will be sold as a set, only.
PRICE: Consigner has allowed us to significantly reduce the set. Please inquire. |
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German Hand-Carved Black Forest Clock (Item KCARVING 1-5) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is simply the epitome of Black Forest art in the finest tradition of the craft. The piece stands about 9 1/2 inches from the bottom of the base to the top of the eagle’s head and 11 1/2 inches from the bottom of the base to the top of the wingtips. First of all, let us say that the clock does not work. The spring is defunct, but it is a simple clock movement and can be fixed or replaced without much trouble. But, the clock fades in significance when you consider the importance and beauty of the carving. This, not the timepiece, is the prime article here. We have, during the years, seen examples of the most wonderful Black Forest pieces and many of them where great and stupendous, but it is a fact that not many of them could compare with the excellent quality of this offering. This is without a single doubt the greatest B.F. carving we have ever seen (not the largest; just the best!). It’s a masterpiece. The feathers of the bird are so real looking that you would be waiting for him to take flight. The deep dimension and realistic presentation is incredible! Even the rocks and foliage are depicted in stark realism. This piece is worthy of display in a museum or an excellent collection. If you love the finest in wood carving and/or have a love affair with the proud German eagle, this is possibly the ultimate! They may come bigger, but they don’t come better.
PRICE: $1,850.00 |
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Fantastic Black Forest Carving (Item KCARVING 1-6; WOODMASTER 1-3) |
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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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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 PRICE: SOLD |
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Model Cannon Crafted in Bone (Item KWEP 5-4, KCARVING 1-8) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is a most unique item indeed! It’s a hand-carved field artillery piece hewn from bone. We do know there was a tradition of carving such items when men sailed the seas either as prisoners of war or able-bodied seamen. Many a master carver produced incredible items from bone or ivory. Seafaring men were not the only persons who turned out such lovely items such as miniature ships, cannons, human effigies, etc. Today, for the most part, it’s a ‘lost art’ in our busy society such as it is, and indeed we have lost touch with the dexterity, patience, and artistic aplomb as enjoyed in a finer age. This cannon is certainly a wonderful example of this aesthetic ability on the part of an individual who knew military nomenclature as well as being a master carver. We don’t know the origin of this item, but it was found in Germany and appears to be vintage of the turn of the century or earlier. It is with a glass case for display and security. It measures 14 ½ inches from the muzzle to the end of the carriage tow hole. The wheels are 6 inches in diameter and across the tops of the wheels it measures 7 inches. This is the ultimate museum display that bespeaks the beautiful craftsmanship of an age of high adventure.
PRICE: $2,850.00 |
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Patriotic Cigarette Pipe Carved in Meerschaum (Item KCARVING 1-9) |
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| DESCRIPTION: Here is a cute, little cigarette pipe from the 1890s depicting a little German lad dressed in the uniform and spike helmet of the period. This is the sort of pipe used with a cigarette that is placed in the pipe bowl that is, in this case, found in the front of the helmet. The figure is of a handsome boy whose uniform has the shoulder boards of a Dragoon officer, and on his chest he wears the Iron Cross. The helmet is the typical Dragoon style as used from the 1870 Franco-Prussian War through the early stages of WWI. The pipe is small measuring about 4 inches long including the stem, which is carved in an amberlike material. This is a very charming relic of what was a glorious age of Kaisereich refinement.
PRICE: $420.00; REALLY NEAT! |
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Intricately Carved Powder Flask with Animal Theme (Item KCARVING 1-10; HUNT 8-24) |
| DESCRIPTION: Here is an elaborately carved powder flask. We come across various types of these from time to time but never as busy as this one with an imaginative hunting scene. The work itself shows the hand of a professional carver probably in the Black Forest. The period when it was made escapes us but we do know that some of these were specially made to be worn in hunting celebrations throughout the Reich both in the Kaiser’s time and the Third Reich in pageants and ceremonies having to do with the ancient hunting sports. We believe this flask was made just for special wear while celebrating the ancient sport. Men dressed as hunters from bygone times would wear something like this to honor hunting of the past. It measures about 6½ x 4½ inches viewed from the front and including the spout. The decorative tassels are about 2 inches long and are intact. The flask is about 2½ inches thick. (Quite a find and probably unique.) Pictured are hunting dogs, wild boar, and an elk all in an artistic panoply.
PRICE: $350.00 |
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Wonderful and Beautifully Carved WWI Storm Trooper with Title "Durch" (Translated–"Coming Through") (Item KCARVING 1-11; WWI 13-28) |
| DESCRIPTION: This is one of the finest military subjects in carved wood that we have seen in many years. The subject depicts a WWI soldier of the Sturmtruppen (shock troops) depicted in full attack mode. Here is the artistic personification of the spirit of specially chosen troops with their advanced combat training. They represented the elite of Germany’s soldiers—special shock troops, handpicked from the ranks. Truly, they were the finest and bravest of the Wehrmacht. The example that we have is probably by a Black Forest woodcarver no doubt known for his military subjects—probably is one of that man’s finest works. The carving depicts a WWI Stormtrooper, who obviously would be in the front ranks of the battle. The word "Durch" or "Through" describes the methodology of being at the forefront against the enemy. The attacker is depicted in all of his fierce combat experience. He is armed to the teeth and carries a hand-grenade bag and wears a Stahlhelm (German helmet) and wears a service pistol, shovel, canteen, gas mask, and a combat knife. Some of these articles were issued only to such special personnel. The stark determination seen on his masterfully carved face says it all. The special carved base with the word "Durch" is unusual in the fact that these types of statues do not have such an awesome-looking base. The warrior's statement means "Coming Through." This statue is unusually large, as well–total height is 28 inches, base is 6 inches, while the figure is 22 inches. The width is 17 inches. This is a real treasure of wartime Germanic carved art, and a great example of German military effectiveness in its subject matter and would be a fine addition to an important collection. The overall condition is very good. There is a superficial crack in the base and a slight crack in the torso that invariably occurs in aged oak pieces. This is without a doubt an important and original carving of Germanic battle action at the frontlines, beautifully captured in wood. Honor and heroism were the trademarks of Germany’s elite Soldaten." This figure is certainly one of the very best of our specially offered treasures.
PRICE: P.O.R. |
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Please refer to item designator in parentheses in all correspondence.
Please E-mail for any additional information you may need.
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