The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-03-30
INGENIOUS WOOD cARTxRs.
Nasural Artisans Whsss FrsAaesasas are
oSasasuss VERY Csssly.

NaSaral Artisaas Wssss frsAaesssas are
Hsasssoss Very Csssiy.
Over west side doorway is the inviting
sign. Artistic Bric-A-brao" In email
square room UP ono flight Of stairs were sew
eral tables laden with many curious and inter-
eating productions Of German and Swiss artists.
Tho Swiss pessantry arc tho greatest WOOD
carvers In tho world" the proprietor said.
Carving seems to be as natural to them a.
eating. They carve out OF wood. with wonder
full ingenuity. anything from simple paper
knife to an elaborate piece Of architecture In
miniature. Aside from wood carving and some
other mechani occupations they are not
good for ANYTHING. being very simple. ignorant
people, But they have a genius for CARVING
aid have o natural skill for copying from
nature. Their floral pieces are regarded
As masterpieces, and servo a. models
for young sculptors. It Is only necessary to
furnish them Photographic design OF what 10
wanted. Most deaers who import Swiss cnrv-
ings do this although the Swiss psasantry pro-
duoe .numherless things themselves withous
wood almost svsry Find oi fancy article such as
inkstands, nut craeksrs. jewslry cases. cuckoo
Of other things. too numerous to mention.
The tools they use arp very simple, the
eIss they carve are inseniousiy ornaInented
With leaves and flowers; and ,d some hS OF
their designs re e1His srs Sjecs ~
its h!ise.iks seprsssnt.tion Q, besr on iis
Worthy Of s4S Careful study The swiss have q
Sr a 0 faEe hs
Instance" The dealer produced very simple
form Of book holder for the library table. hay.
show n are
adva want Ssf swiss have the wood
which they use. This is remarkably fine and
free from tool S9ss n a. ess
which I. closely resembles IN sysry respect sp,S |:
ca aHs satin H1 wood oo Ths f has pure whiss COZ
or. and. like tho other variety 10 entirely free
from knots. and peculiarly even In respect to
" The skill Of the Swiss in carving wood hrst
attracted notice about fifty years ago. IL was
view. and even then the sales Of Swiss carvings
so s who made their purchases through The in.
termediary OF hotel porters,, Hence the trade
was for long time very small and unremu =,
shops. and began an export, trade. The bust.
several hundred persons. In fact. in one es-
tablishment three hundred persons Of both
s asassy 81 each The
work In certain branches is preferred
| specially. the choice OF which is left to indi;
| vidual taste. Some have an aptitude for and
! excel In the modelling OF groups Of animals
others prefer to carve various fancy articles
| with floral patterns and some build miniature
chd!ets. The latter is one Of the most popular
| articles Of Swiss handiwork. As usually made
# Is composed OF different colored woods. The
matches. with the stones and ropes to hold
them on. and the deem roof ara prominent
| features. The lower story shows stable
the family dwelling. The, surroundings. In
Guiding the fence; court yard. pump. and spring
are also given. The roof is 80 constructed tina
It can he raised like a lid. and the part which
! Representa- the upper stories Is lined with
| plush and Ia intended as the receptacle fol
jewels. A movable partition divides this also
from the first story. which contains q must,
| box. which Is set going by lifting the top cover
tofa5. ,-,.--.--..,....''
ings for the reason that the production Is YER,
fast enough by hnnd. Besides. all the rare bit
Of carving are made by the peasants at thei
| homes in the Alps. who work only during tn,
winter season. In the summer they are occ u
pied In filling the soil and tending their herd
Of goats on the hlllsides. a pursuit which the
love 40 much that No amount OF money coul'
| ontico them from II"