Swiss Carvings: The Art of the 'Black Forest' 1820-1940 [Hardcover]

Jay Arenski (Author), Simon Daniels (Author), Michael Daniels (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 25, 2007

A comprehensive explanation of Swiss wood carving, known as Black Forest, from 1820-1940. Written by experts on the subject. For many years 'Black Forest' carvings were thought to have been produced in the Bavarian Black Forest, in Germany, but it has now been established beyond all doubt that they were the sole province of the Swiss. The wood carving industry of Switzerland originated in the picturesque town of Brienz. From humble beginnings as a cottage industry in the early 1800s it grew by the turn of the twentieth century to become the industrial driving force of a whole community. By 1910 there were some thirteen hundred carvers plying their trade in the locality of Brienz. The carving industry was driven by the tourist industry; Brienz, Luzern, Interlaken and other such picturesque resorts were in vogue with the wealthy Victorians. Bears were particularly popular, being the symbol for the city of Berne, but musical boxes, musical chalets, furniture large and small, all figured in Swiss carvi

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jay Arenski is the current proprietor of Arenski Fine Art Ltd. His gallery, which he shared with the flamboyant dealer Peter Petrou, in Notting Hill, London, was well known for its eclectic mix of antiques from neolithic Chinese pots to classical statuary. Jay's love of 'Black Forest' is well established. The Olympia Fine Art and Antiques Fair has twice in recent years been treated to a 'Black Forest' look with an amazing stand from Arenski and Petrou. Jay is married with three children and lives in London. Simon Daniels, a second-generation antique dealer, is a world recognised authority on 'Black Forest' and was the first dealer in the USA to dedicate his gallery almost exclusively to it. He feels that 'Black Forest' carvings are unique in that they encompass the great outdoors, compassion for animals, mountain life and, most importantly, humour. Simon lives and works in Aspen, Colorado. Many of his favourite pieces can be found at his gallery, Daniels Antiques. Michael Daniels is one of three brothers who started in business together in 1969. In 1978 they established the well-known showrooms of Daniels, Daniels and Daniels Antiques in South Florida, but after twenty-two years there he decided to indulge his passion for 'Black Forest' carvings and when his son Simon Daniels opened the Aspen Gallery in 1998 Michael followed a year later. They are both justifiably proud of the world class collection of 'Black Forest' antiques that they have assembled from all over the world in their Aspen Gallery.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 184 pages
• Publisher: Antique Collectors Club Dist (January 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1851494936
• ISBN-13: 978-1851494934
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 9.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,080,102 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Black Forest Beauty, August 18, 2005

By 

David Davidoff (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Swiss Carvings: The Art of the 'Black Forest' 1820-1940 (Hardcover)

This book is the first serious study of this genre. The authors have put together a bonanza of information including not only serious academic research but the most amazing photos. Bears on skis, majestic eagles, faithful hounds, and amazing sculpture, leap out of the pages...The authors point out that this whole ouvre has long been ignored and needs to be re-classified for what it really is, a serious, 19th/early 20th century art form. The chapter on international exhibitions, for example, puts a completely different perspective on Black Forest. The book is thoroughly readable and also refreshingly unpretentious.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book Worth Adding To Your Library, October 19, 2008

By 

E. Ritter "pink floydian" (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Swiss Carvings: The Art of the 'Black Forest' 1820-1940 (Hardcover)

EXCELLENT book on the Black Forest carvings. Private collection photos really show the exquisite details of many of the pieces. Great history details included. I found the vintage cabinet card photos, paintings and drawings that inspired many of the pieces particularly fascinating. Book also includes company catalog pages, which are nice to have, but whose item pictures are rather small in size. Book definitely worth purchasing whether you are a collector or one who appreciates wood carving artistry.