Woodcrafting
Traditions in the Saxony region of Germany...
The Saxony region of
Germany has many local forests where there is a naturally occurring
abundance of wood. Following a decline in the mining industry at the end
of the 16th century the people of this region were forced to find new
avenues for income generating occupations. From this grew various trades
in the timber industry.
The crafts of wood
turning and wood carving grew from a mere hobby of the miner into an art
form appreciated by many today. Originally wood turning was used to create
everyday objects such as plates, buttons, and spindles. This industry
became well established by the middle of the 17th century. From these
beginnings developed the manufacturing of figures such as those of Angels,
Miners, and Pyramids. From its beginning as a profession wood turning
provided a viable source of income.
Just as in the beginning,
today these beautiful articles are made by small firms using mostly
antiquated machinery and crafted by hand with the love of the artist and
his attention to detail. The appearance of these crafted articles and the
methods by which they are made have been handed down from generation to
generation. To own one of these wonderful creations is to own a small
piece of deep rooted German tradition.
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