Now that really is a bear market!
BLACK FOREST CARVINGS REMAIN HUGELY POPULAR
JUST about everything in the story of Black Forest carving comes as a surprise. Where it started, why it started, how astonishingly successful it became and how valuable the best antique pieces are today.
First surprise: Despite what almost everyone thinks, Black Forest carving did not originate in Germany but in Switzerland, specifically in the small town of Brienz, in the early 1800s. The area had been hit by a disastrous famine and an impoverished population needed something to create jobs. The area had wood and it had a tradition of carving.
Over the course of the 19th century a humble cottage activity would become an internationally famous industry that provided a living for half of Brienz alone. The most popular Black Forest subjects were forest animals, particularly bears, in every imaginable size and shape, from small ornaments and souvenirs to statues, chairs, tables and coat stands.
The work of the most talented carvers was displayed at all of the great expositions of the 19th century including the 1851 Great Exhibition in London, the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair and the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle.
Fine pieces became a symbol of wealth in affluent European homes and indeed Black Forest carvings were acquired for many Royal collections. Fast forward a century and Black Forest continues to surprise. In an age when the popular fashion is for light, minimalist, furnishing, the market for this dark, elaborate, carving has been on the up for a number of years and values have been going from strength to strength.
With that in mind the reader will understand that I was delighted to come across the fellow that we have pictured when we were brought in to assist with a deceased estate in North Lincolnshire.
The bear stands three and a half feet tall and is depicted standing on a rock with his hand resting on the trunk of a tree. The eyes are glass but all the rest of the impressive sculpture is carved wood, including the claws and a fearsome set of teeth.
So now we come to the question of valuation and once again Black Forest carving produces a surprise. As I mentioned, bears were far and away the most popular subjects back in the 19th century but the carvers also worked on various other creatures including stags, boars, wolves, dogs, eagles, owls and even dragons.
These were not produced in such large numbers, with the result that they are now much more rare – and can make two or three times as much as similar bear subjects when they come up for auction.
I should also mention that our North Lincolnshire bear is not signed, which is a pity given that the names of master carvers such as Huggler, Fluekk, Bauman, Wirth, Abplanalp and others will massively ramp up interest. Even so I would expect our find to make £300£500 at auction.
Robert Horner is an independent local auctioneer and valuer based in the Brigg area. He can be reached on 07970 126311 or at rjhbrodian@btinternet.com