Wonderful antique Victorian era Black Forest hand carved 22 1/4" tall wall hanging sculptural grouping, a "Fruits of the Hunt" themed piece with canteen, hunting rifle & satchel and large deer or chamois figure & game bird hung as if fresh from the hunt! Also, this one signed or stamped by the maker "Carl von Bergen, Interlaken", Switzerland. Not much is known about this company, but it was one of the few that signed its carvings, especially the very special works, which was very important for collectors. The company was represented at various exhibitions, such as Vienna 1873, Philadelphia 1876 and Zurich 1883.
If you've followed us for a while you know I'm a big fan of the old hand carved "Black Forest" items that come to us from 19th century Switzerland, Germany, parts of France and Italy, where they pleased the Grand Tour tourists and still please us all today. These hand carved treasures range from whimsical small bears to large and elaborate mantel clocks, wall clocks, wall plaques showing the most awesome anatomical studies of stag, fowl, "fruits of the hunt". I've got more to list so look through the vast collection. I've just used quite a few piece in our own 2nd home decoration , Rocky Mountains location, and love the look as well as the heritage since my own ancestors hail from that region and others. The pieces work well in Country Manor, French Country, Ski Lodge or Hunt Lodge and even in a den or office. Everything from a pocket watch case to huge plaques - from needle and thread holders to cigar caddy - these decorative objects survive today a testament to the artisan's craft of carving wood.
Very good condition. This grouping would originally have been mounted on a larger flat plaque, as you can see by searching our shop. Apparently the plaque was damaged over the years and so this magnificent grouping salvaged and you can really see why. Carved in a heavy hardwood rather than the softer Linden wood that you find in a lot of Black Forest pieces. A bit of loss or damage still evident in chipped leaf tips, the loss of the deer or chamois figure's outer ear and horn, also the hoof on that outer front leg. The game bird's tail is missing the feathers on the outside. See images for all measurements.
