Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1884-06-06
I'M GEN Il.soUg WDoD-GA RyERs.
Natural Artisans whoge productions are
gE Sometimes vezy Costly,
Nc,,S y,,-

Natural Artisans vVhose productions are
g Sometimes vesy Costly.
| From the New York Sun. 0 J.. a 4 I.
| Over a west side doorway is the. in
viting sign, Artistic Brio. -brac." In
| a small, square room up one fight Of
/ stairs were several tables laden with
many curious and interesting prsHuc-
! lions of German and Swiss artists,
"rhe Swiss peasantry are the greatest
wood carvers in the world, !" the proprie-
tor said. Carving seems to be as
natural to them as eating. They carve
out of wood, with wonderful ingenuity,
anything from a simple paper knife to
All elaborate piece OF architecture in
miniature. Aside from wood carving
and some other mechanical occupations
they are not good for anything, being
very simple, ignorant people. But they
have u genius for carving, and have q
natural skill for copying from nature.
Their floral pieces are regarded as mas
terpieces, and serve as models for young
sculptors. It is only necessary to fur
nish them photographic design of
what is wanted. Most dealers who I'M
| port Swiss carvings do this, although
the Swiss peasantry produce number
less things themselves without the aid
of any suggestions. They carve out of
! wood almost every kind of fancy article
such as inkstands, Dut-crackers, jewelr.y
| cases, cuckoo clocks, ladies' work boxes,
and large number of other things too
| numerous to mention. The tools they
| use are very simple, the carving being
| all..done by hand. The articles they carve
| are ingeniously ornamenred with leaves
and flowers, land some Of their designs are
EXTREMITY odd they are always artistic.
Here is d piece of carving in the shape
of nut cracker 1t is life like rep
resentation of 81 bear on it's launches.
Of course, it is made more for al orna-
| ment than for use, but its artistic merit
| is worthy of careful study. The Swiss
have knack for turning the most sim
pie article into real work ofart. Take
this book-rack for instance. The deal
er produced a very simple form of book
holder for the library table, having two
side pieces on sliding base. "See how
! artistically the side pieces are carved,
showing in bold relief double rose sur
rounded with a mass of leaves and
vines.
"One advantage the Swiss have is the
| wood they Use. This is remarkably fine
and free from knots, and q tool cuts it
as easily across as with the grain. The
kind mostly used is known to the trade
as peach wood, which it closely resem-
bles in every respect Another kind Of
wood which is largely used is called
satin wood. This has a pure white col
or, and like the other variety, is entire
~ free from knots, and peculiarly even
in respect to hardness
"The skill Of the Swiss in carving
wood first attracted notice about fifty
Years ago. It was not, however, until
years afterward that it was turned to
account In a commercial point of view,
and even then the sales of Swiss cary
summer season, who made their pur-
chases through the intermediary Of hotel
porters Hence the trade vas for
long time very small and unremunera-
tive. But in the course Of time local
capitalists took the mntter in hand,
opened workshops and begun an export
trade. The business of wood carving
now finds employment for several hun
dred persons In fact, in one establish
ment three hundred persons of both
sexes are regularly employed. The
hovo Il al ,,,J
their work in certain branches is prefer
red to that Of men. Each artisan en-
ployed in the workshops has his or her
speciality, the choice Of which is left to
individual taste. Some have an apti-
tnde for and excel in the modelling of
groups Of animals other prefer to carve
various fancy articles with floral
patterns and some miniature
ehAets. The latter is one of
the most popular articles Of Swiss handi-
work. As usually made 1t is composed
of different colored woods. The thatches,
with the stones and ropes to hold them
on, and the deep roof, are prominent
features. The lower story shows a
stable, while the upper stories are made
to indicate the family dwelling. The
surroundings, Including the fence,
courtyard, pump and spring, are also
given. The roof is so constructed that
it can be raised like lid, and the part
which represents the upper stories is
lined with plush, and is intended as the
receptacle for jewels. A movable par
tition divides this also from the first
story, which contains a music box,
which is set gong by lifting the top
cover. The prices of these articles
range from so to $35.
Few dealers make a especially of Swiss
carvings, for the reason that the pro-
duction is very limited owing to inabili-
ty to turn out the goods fast enough by
hand. Besides, all the rare bits Of
carving are made by the peasants at
their homes in the Alps, who work only
during the winter season. In the sum-
mer they are occupied in tilling the soil
and tending their herds of goats on the
hillsides, pursuit which they love so
much that no amount of money could
entice them from it..
GIRLS Lettara