ERZGEBIRGE, pyramid, wood.

Height approx. 42 cm.

Erzebirge is the name of the ancient ore mining area in the vicinity of Karl Marx Stadt in Germany. Since the Middle Ages, the area has also been known for its skilled craftsmen and woodcarvers. Originally it was as a decorator of churches and public buildings. The region's rich fabled treasures provided inspiration for the figures. Each village came to develop its own special style and figures. From villages such as Seiffen, Marienberg and Schneeberg come the now famous music boxes and pyramids. It is known that they were manufactured as early as the 1780s. There were 100 turners in Seiffen at the time and they sold their products at the Christmas market in Dresden. As early as the 17th century, skilled turners could support a family on this art form. A couple of masters during the 17th century can be mentioned such as August Müller and Albrecht Füchter.