Katalog (Eng/D, 9MB) - Erzgebirgische Holzkunst Gahlenz GmbH RuT

The Erzgebirge - A Spellbinding Ride through an Ocean of Light
Here, in the heart of Germany, time goes by at a leisurely pace. After a day of hard
work, we like to sit down and just call it a day. We fold our working clothes neatly in
our wooden wardrobes, put on our snug slippers and then stretch out comfily by the
crackling fire. Ah, what a relief! Slowly our eyes start gazing into the distance: How
beautiful it is, our Erzgebirge, the stretch of dark-wooded mountains we call home.
Soft green hills sink into ancient forests, which are deeply cut by roaring waters
breaking their way through magnificent rocks. The rough, wild land has shaped
the people here: Hard-working we are, good-natured and modest. We
like nothing more than to make ourselves feel at ease, and this
we can do best in our snug, cosy homes. All year round, we
decorate our mantelpieces, window-sills and shelves with
delightful little figures we have made from our local
wood. In the springtime, when the first fresh-green
leaves are budding on crooked twigs, we lovingly
adorn them with hand-painted wooden eggs.
When the sun shines brightly in the summer, we
decorate our homes with sweet little flower
children to ride in on his sunny rays. The most
magical time, however, is the Christmas season.
Not without reason the Erzgebirge is called “The
Christmas Wonderland”. You must see the
Erzgebirge Christmas for yourself, otherwise you
wouldn't believe the enchanting shine of
thousands and thousands of bright little lights
illuminating the mountainous land. Each and every
window sparkles with heart-warming lights. Wooden
angels and miners carry their candles to light the way
through the dark, wintry night. Come follow us and we'll take
you for a spellbinding ride through this ocean of lights! Our
romantic wealth of traditions stems from days gone by and is deeply rooted
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in the history of the Erzgebirge. In German, Erzgebirge means “The Ore
Mountains”. In the middle ages, vast resources of valuable minerals were discovered
in this region. For three centuries, as millions of miners wrought silver, tin, zinc,
copper and lead from the mountains, the Erzgebirge prospered. When the rich
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resources were eventually exhausted in the 17 century, the miners and their families
were desperate for a new way to earn their living. So, the immense, deep forest hit
their eyes. They swapped their pick-axes for a carving knife and began to work the
wood with the same smart skill as they had worked the mountains
before. When the wood lathe was finally invented, nothing could
stand in the way of the splendour of Erzgebirge wood art.
Virtually every single family in the region created their
own figures. What all of the wooden incense men, candle
arches, angels and miners had in common, though,
was their deep connection with the traditions of the
miners and their tedious, yet simple and joyful
lives. Keeping this unique wealth of tradition alive
is a matter of the utmost importance to the wood
artists from Gahlenz. Few firms are able to offer
the entire range of original Erzgebirge wood
sculptures. Apart from preserving traditions, the
Gahlenz sculptors have declared it their goal to
uphold the artistic character of the Erzgebirge
figures. So they continually design new models,
some true to tradition, others refreshingly
modernistic, showing the signs of our time. With every
new sculpture, however, the typical Erzgebirge character
can be clearly recognised in their shape, colours and message.
So every true collector can tell straight away: The Gahlenz
wood sculptures are “Genuine Erzgebirge”!
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Erzgebirgische Holzspielzeugmacher im 19. Jahrhundert | Toymakers from the Erzgebirge in the 19 century