Fantastic antique Victorian era Swiss Black Forest hand carved old growth European oak 19.75" fireplace bellows, "Fruits of the Hunt" theme with wild boar, game hen and oak leaves & acorns! A gorgeous piece! The figures hung as if fresh from the hunt and flanked by oak leaves & acorns. The handle with scrolled foliate type accenting and it retains the original bronze spout but the genuine leather baffles portion is a newer restoration. Quite rare, we always try to find these marvelous old carved fireplace bellows but most, although figural, would have a more French style mythical or other but this is definitely Black Forest and the fact that it's in oak (a more difficult to carve hardwood rather than the more common softer lindenwood) explains why it has survived its 100 or so years in such fabulous condition!
Very good condition. As is evidenced in the images, there are a few "applied" carved pieces missing including a small foliate curl or accent at the front handle end and two scroll carves at the sides of the handle where it meets the figural portion. As noted, the original leather was age deteriorated and has been replaced with newer genuine leather, the only portion of the original can be seen on the front right near the spout (triangular section preserved for visual appeal). Original upholstery tacks, original spout. See images for all measurements.
