Black Forest
Collection of twelve carved whip holders


Switzerland or Germany, c. 1885
carved and varnished wood, horn, glass, brass
largest: 19 h x 6 w x 3 d in (48 x 15 x 8 cm)
smallest: 9.5 h x 5.75 w x 2.5 d in (24 x 15 x 6 cm)

Collection is comprised of three hunter foxes with glass eyes, a bear with sled, a hunter Scotty dog with glass eyes, a fox cleaning a hook, a man cleaning a hook, a blacksmith, a fox in pajamas, a dancing hunter holding an umbrella, a bear with glass eyes climbing a tree, and a feisty cat with yellow glass eyes and carved inscription 'Gerardmer'. Applied metal manufacturer's tag to reverse of two examples 'E. Schurch Patent 64442 Schloss Laufen' and 'C. Spiess Patent 16870 Schloss Laufen'. Impressed mark to reverse of an additional example 'Depose'.

This work will ship from Chicago, Illinois.

Overall good condition. Bear on a sled with a small loss to nose, also showing an older repair to one leg. Approximately three additional works also show older repairs to horns mainly detectable by touch. Figure with an umbrella shows a break to handle of umbrella. One figure has a music box installed which worked when tested.