Posted: 11/21/06
Black Forest carvings at county museum
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
With its realistic rendering of natural themes such as deer, birds and bears, Black Forest Carvings seem right at home in Houston County.
Any nature lover, and there are many of them around, will appreciate the skill and detail that is crafted into each piece.
The collectors are Dwayne and Diane Houdek of Mabel, who have operated Victoriana Antiques there for 35 years. The couple has loaned their collection to the Houston County Historical Society Museum where it will be on display until December 13. The museum is open between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The collection can also be viewed during the Holiday Open House in Caledonia Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3 from 10-4.
Black Forest carving comes from the Brienz, Switzerland area. It was started in about 1817 by Christian Fischer as a means of supporting his family. The enterprise eventually grew to 12 carvers, and later a school was opened to teach carving. So important were animals to the Black Forest style that the school maintained a wildlife preserve so students would have the opportunity to observe the animals closely.
Diane recalls that the first piece they purchased was a bear hall tree. The hall tree resembles an actual tree, with several bears in its branches.
Although a few of the items are purely decorative, most are functional as well as beautiful. There are clocks, bookends, humidors, chairs, tables and music boxes. Some of the items display intricate inlaid wood designs. The finishes range from nearly black to unfinished. The carvings are typically walnut or linden, which is similar to basswood.
Dwayne explained that many of the items were commissioned, and the usual process was to make a clay mold for the commissioner to approve before carving the wood.
The Black Forest style was created until the 1940s, and the age of the items means that often there is some damage. Dwayne has become skilled at making repairs and doing some carving himself to make the pieces as perfect as possible.
The Houdeks have more than 100 pieces, and they range in size from a bear less than an inch tall to large pieces of furniture. All share the characteristic attention to detail and skill that is the hallmark of Black Forest carving.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com