Swiss Carvings: The Art of the 'Black Forest' 1820-1940
Jay Arenski is the current proprietor of Arenski Fine Art Ltd. His gallery, which he shared with the flamboyant dealer Peter Petrou, in Notting Hill, London, was well known for its eclectic mix of antiques from neolithic Chinese pots to classical statuary. Jay's love of 'Black Forest' is well established. The Olympia Fine Art and Antiques Fair has twice in recent years been treated to a 'Black Forest' look with an amazing stand from Arenski and Petrou. Jay is married with three children and lives in London.  Simon Daniels, a second-generation antique dealer, is a world recognised authority on 'Black Forest' and was the first dealer in the USA to dedicate his gallery almost exclusively to it. He feels that 'Black Forest' carvings are unique in that they encompass the great outdoors, compassion for animals, mountain life and, most importantly, humour. Simon lives and works in Aspen, Colorado. Many of his favourite pieces can be found at his gallery, Daniels Antiques.  Michael Daniels is one of three brothers who started in business together in 1969. In 1978 they established the well-known showrooms of Daniels, Daniels and Daniels Antiques in South Florida, but after twenty-two years there he decided to indulge his passion for 'Black Forest' carvings and when his son Simon Daniels opened the Aspen Gallery in 1998 Michael followed a year later. They are both justifiably proud of the world class collection of 'Black Forest' antiques that they have assembled from all over the world in their Aspen Gallery.