Fine Black Forest Carving by Johann Grossmann

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Fine Black Forest Carving by Johann Grossmann

About the Item

Fine Black Forest carving by Johann Grossmann, depicting a bull and a cow in the foreground, a goat and her kid standing on a rocky outcrop behind, the composition balanced by a large truncated fir tree with overhanging branches; the conforming base with oak leaves and acorns. Signed, J. Grossmann Sculpteur. The back right corner with BFL/CFL. This wonderful sculpture, worked in walnut and finished with a bronze-like patina, is an impressive example of the woodcarver's art. Keenly observed and skillfully rendered, no detail is too minute. The short hair and folds of skin on the cows contrast with the long coarse hair of the goats, all rendered with stunning realism. The leather straps hang comfortably around the necks while the iron clappers lie proportionately inside the bells. Even the fallen branch near the bull's right front hoof is a marvel. See how Grossmann raises it slightly off the ground by back-cutting it 360 degrees, a minor detail in the overall composition, but the mark of a true master. The meaning of “BFL/CFL” near the back remains a mystery. They might be the initials of apprentices who helped create the work, or they could be the initials of organizations to which Grossmann belonged. There are a few minor condition issues. Three of the four cows' horns suffer losses, as do the goat's right horn and the kid's left ear. The numerous cracks in the wood, especially the one in the ground beneath the sitting cow's head are stable and a natural part of the aging process. Black Forest woodcarving dates to the beginning of the 19th century in the small village of Brienz, nestled in the Swiss Alps. Brienzerware, as it was called then, became very popular with tourists and soon the industry grew to support the entire region. By the mid-19th century thousands of carvers supported themselves and their families, turning out countless clocks, bears and other objects for an insatiable tourist and export market. Eventually these products became part of the Swiss national identity, much like wine or cheese in France or beer in Germany. Little is known about the life of Johann Grossmann. He was possibly the son of Peter Grossmann (1808-1847), a formally trained sculptor and one of the founding fathers of the Brienzerware tradition. By 1852 Johann was working in the hamlet of Ringgenberg, just a few miles from Brienz and in 1868 he founded the prestigious firm of Grossmann-Ritschard. It thrived for many years. He and 14 other woodcarvers exhibited at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition of 1876, representing Switzerland alongside the makers of music boxes, scientific instruments, textiles and, of course, clocks. Grossmann remained active until at least 1878, as evidenced by an advertisement in the “Handbook for Travelers,” a series of 19th century guide books not unlike the present day Michelin Guides. In the ad Grossmann touts himself as a “sculptor in wood and manufacturer of Swiss wood models and ornaments, carved and inlaid furniture manufactured to any design.”

Creator:
Johann Grossmann (Sculptor)
Dimensions:
Height: 19 in (48.26 cm)Width: 24 in (60.96 cm)Depth: 11 in (27.94 cm)
Style:
Victorian (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Walnut
Place of Origin:
Switzerland
Period:
Mid-19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1850-1870
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Three of the four cows' horns suffer losses, as do the goat's right horn and the kid's left ear. The numerous cracks in the wood, especially the one in the ground beneath the sitting cow's head are stable and a natural part of the aging process.
Seller Location:
St. Louis, MO
Reference Number:
Seller: 1-29261stDibs: LU85461892322