"Playing Snow Monkeys", A. Zimmermann

About the Item

Gemstone sculpture / Object d`art: "PLAYING SNOW MONKEYS" Two young snow monkeys are playing with a snow ball. They are carved from a single single piece of Nigerian Bi-Colour (red-green) Tourmaline (400 gr.) and set with blue sapphire eyes. 2011. Offered with a custom-fitted case for ease of transport. size: 63 mm wide, 40 mm deep, 64 mm high weight: 203 gr. Artist: Alfred Zimmermann (Idar-Oberstein, Germany) Carving Is A Passion Following in the Idar-Oberstein tradition, master carver, Alfred Zimmermann, has developed and perfected his own art over the past fifty years. Since his school days, drawing had always been a favorite passion of Zimmermann and it formed the base for his gem-carving career. He began that career working for the well-known and traditional gem-carving family, Dreher. Innovative carving techniques and experience over five generations has made Dreher one of the leading animal gemstone carvers in the world. The firm produced gem-carvings for such notable jewelry houses as Cartier and Fabergé. Following his apprenticeship with Gerd Dreher, Zimmermann decided to strike out on his own. The particular way Alfred Zimmermann carves requires spatial imagination, technical know-how, attention to detail, creativity and passion; but most of all passion. Transforming a complex and rough gem stone into a fine art animal sculpture is a difficult task. During the process he must consider size, the use of varied intensities and color, inclusions, variable hardness of the gem, and the overall beauty of the stone. Finally it is his talent and vision which enable him to see an animal figure when looking at a rough stone and eventually forming it from his imagination to a finished item. Zimmermann studies and observes animals and their behavior by hiking to and observing them in their natural habitats. He conducts extensive research through archives, zoos, and documentary wildlife films. Only when he is he familiar with the specific characteristics, angles and proportions of the animal does he begin to draw. One notable feature of his work is carving both the sculpture and base from one piece of rough gem. This is not only difficult but innovative as it creates an environment for his subject. Developing the sculpture in this way requires multiple production steps with many surfaces. It takes months of intense work to complete one piece and as a result Zimmermann produces only five or six pieces each year. High precision, accurate details and the use of high quality gemstones are characteristics of Alfred Zimmermann’s work which is sought after by museums, collectors and connoisseurs around the world. With his great attention to detail of the natural object, Zimmermann brings life and beauty to his hardstone creations. Zimmermann carvings are renowned for their originality, artistic interpretation, craftsmanship and the use of rare and valued gemstone. A unique and fascinating piece of art! All works of Alfred Zimmermann are marked with his signature.... AZ If you want to see more object d`art, please ask for the NEW Zimmermann book "Passion of Carving"

Creator:

Design: Alfred Zimmermann

Stone:

Sapphire,Tourmaline

Stone Cut:

Cabochon

Weight:

203 g

Dimensions:

Height: 2.52 in (64 mm)Depth: 1.58 in (40 mm)Length: 2.49 in (63 mm)

Style:

Contemporary