Object Description
A late 19th century (circa 1890) finely carved Black Forest linden wood deer group, in the manner of Johann HUGGLER.
This superbly realistic carved group of deer consists of a stag, hind and fawn, the stag proudly standing on a rocky terrain, the hind attending to her fawn all supported on naturalistic elliptical base with moulded edge, we cannot find a signature but this figure is undoubtedly in the manner of Johann Huggler from Brienz.
This carving is extremely realistic with superb detail of the fur, faces, legs and tails, as with most deer figures the antlers are removeable – this being typical of Black Forest carved figures of this time and particularly those carved by Johann Huggler.
The Huggler family were one of a few families from Brienz in Switzerland who produced these types of animal carvings.
They were undoubtedly thought of as the most celebrated carvers from the area producing five generations of excellent carvers beginning with Kaspar Huggler (1806-1846) and later Johann Huggler (1834-1912) who was known as the ‘Carving King’ as he was considered the most important carver of the time.
Johann exhibited his carvings at various International Fairs of the time including the Chicago World’s Fair (1893), Paris Exhibition (1900) and St. Louis World’s Fair (1904).
The small village of Brienz in The Swiss Alps is renowned for superbly and finely carved linden wood figures of farm and domestic animals that integrated into Swiss life such as the cow as well as many other types of carvings. Even today the cow is a common sight in gardens and yards throughout Switzerland.
The carvings from the Brienz region were known for being superbly naturalistic and realistic with wonderful depiction of fur, feathers etc. and being carved from one piece of wood, usually lime or linden wood.
Reference: very similar carvings attributed to Johann Huggler can be found in the book ‘Swiss Carvings – The Art of the ‘Black Forest 1820-1940’’ by Jay Arenski, Simon Daniels and Michael Daniels – pages 81-83 and ‘Black Forest Woodcarving’ by Peter F. Blackman pages 215-217.
This Black Forest carving is in very good condition for age and can go straight into a home or collection.
Size:
Height: 22” / 56cm
Width: 20” / 50.75cm
Depth: 15” / 38cm