Object Description
A Pair of Carved Black Forest Game Plaques
Expertly carved in Lindenwood, the shaped plaques, carved with oak leaves, depicting a chamois, deer, bird, fox and hunting accoutrements, hung as trophies.
Brienz area, Switzerland, 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.
Blackman, Peter F. Black Forest Woodcarvings: The History of Swiss Brienzerware. Atglen, Pa: Schiffer Pub, 2009, pp. 231-233, showing related examples.