A Carved 'Black Forest' Musical Bench

Collection / Seating Furniture / Benches & Stools

A Carved 'Black Forest' Musical Bench

A Carved 'Black Forest' Musical Bench

Dimensions: H: 29 in / 73 cm | W: 44.5 in / 113 cm | D: 10.5 in / 26 cm

PRICE: £16,000

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DESCRIPTION

A Carved 'Black Forest' Musical Bench

Constructed in carved Linden wood; the end supports of bears with coloured glass eyes hold a carved seat fitted with a music box which plays when seated. The movement marked 'Thorens / Made in Switzerland.'
Swiss, circa 1890

Brienz, Bernese Oberland, Switzerland

Black Forest carving from Brienz, in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland, emerged in the early 19th century as a winter occupation for local craftsmen and quickly gained popularity among those visiting the Swiss Alps. Known for its intricate, lifelike depictions of alpine wildlife and flora, often incorporated into functional items, the craft reached its zenith in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Brienz became renowned as a woodcarving center, with its works exported globally and showcased at international exhibitions. At its height, some 600 carvers were active in Brienz, accounting for nearly a quarter of the population. The tradition influenced similar styles elsewhere, although the carvings from Brienz remain supreme.

Comparative Literature:

Arenski, Jay, Michael Daniels, and Simon Daniels. Swiss Carvings: The Art of the Black Forest : 1820-1940. Woodbridge: Antique Collectors' club, 2004, p.30; illustrating comparable examples.

REF No. 9909

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