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Swiss Black Forest Carved Bear Bench, Brienz, Circa 1890

$49,698.12
£35,750
€42,621.35
CA$68,850.18
A$69,498.64
CHF 39,934.13
MX$842,407.30
NOK 462,217.35
SEK 472,128.94
DKK 318,606.43

About the Item

This exceptional 'Black Forest' bear bench, intricately carved from Lindenwood in the Brienz area circa 1890, is a magnificent example of Swiss craftsmanship. The seat is cleverly supported by two free-standing, wonderfully expressive carved bears. The frame of the bench is naturalistically modeled from branchwork, featuring a third carved bear positioned within the central backrest. This charming focal figure is flanked by open fencing intertwined with oak foliage that continues seamlessly to form the armrests. The seat itself is carved with further leafy oak branches in shallow relief, complementing a beautifully detailed carved apron that bears a pair of carved oak leaves. This remarkable 'Black Forest' bear bench remains in excellent antique condition, possessing a rich, warm patina that highlights the immense skill of the nineteenth-century carvers. Brienz, located in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland, was highly celebrated during the nineteenth century for its exceptional woodcarving industry. It was notably remarked upon in Baedeker's Travel Guide as having a population of 2,400, of whom 600 persons were employed as woodcarvers. These artisans supplied the burgeoning tourist trade to Switzerland with magnificent mementos of the Grand Tour. Today, a museum devoted entirely to the art of Brienz wood carving may still be visited, attesting to the lasting legacy of these talented craftsmen. Comparative Literature: Arenski, Jay, Simon Daniels, and Michael Daniels. Swiss Carvings: The Art of the 'Black Forest' 1820 to 1940. Woodbridge: Antique Collectors' Club, 2005, illustrating related examples of 'Black Forest' bear furniture.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 38.5 in (97.79 cm)Width: 61 in (154.94 cm)Depth: 219 in (556.26 cm)
  • Style:
    Black Forest (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1890
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 105041stDibs: LU954751432552

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