German Emil Helbig Erzgebirge Expertic Wooden Fox Bunny Tree Figurine Lot

Description

Lot of eight mid to late 20th century hand crafted German Erzgebirge / Expertic wooden figurines. Lot includes: Pair of rabbits and a fox with an oversized Easter Egg under a tree; by Emil Helbig. A fox looking up at a crow in a tree, inspired by Aesop's fable The Fox and the Crow; by Emil Helbig. A fox looking up at a bunch of purple grapes, inspired by Aesop's fable The Fox and the Grapes; by Emil Helbig. A chimney sweep leaning on a ladder, peering at a small dog; by Emil Helbig. An artist with paint palette and brush and a partial painting on an easel; by Wilhelm Busch. A fox perched on top of a wooden bucket, under which a duck or goose is hiding; by Emil Helbig. And a little Dutch girl in a striped skirt, carrying baskets of flowers; by Emil Helbig.

"There is no place more famous for its wooden toy making than Erzgebirge, Germany’s Ore Mountain Region of Saxony. This beautiful region is already well-known for its history of mining for silver and other precious metals. But, during the 1700s, this industry began to dry up, meaning that jobs for the local community became scarce. Fortunately, the villagers found a new solution to poverty and unemployment — plenty of lumber trees across the landscape meant that the villagers could practice wood crafting as a new source of income. Another advantage to this new skill was that it could be perfected by people of all ages, with Erzgebirge wooden figures made by families who passed their wood crafting methods and traditions from generation to generation. For the families in the village workshops, the handcrafted toy figurines represented the traditional occupations of their neighbors, such as the farmers, hunters, and the most honored of them all — the miners. Today, many Erzgebirge wooden figures are also inspired by animals and nature and are often assembled to illustrate the history of the Ore Mountains villages and experiences in the mines.

Expertic was the brand name of the German Democratic Republic trademark association Warenzeichenverband für Kunsthandwerk und Kunstgewerbe e.V, that aimed to publicize and market the numerous products of handicraft businesses throughout Erzgebirge to the world, and to protect the rights of the producers. The association awarded the internationally recognized Expertic diploma to artists and artisans for craftsmanship. Products with the red Experti logo are still considered collector's items today. The brand had been protected since 1968 by the Trademark Association for Arts and Crafts of the GDR in Olbernhau and expired on August 29, 1995. Since April 2004, the name rights have been held by a West German company and are registered with the German Patent and Trademark Office." (Source: Kuckucksuhr / Wikipedia / Wendt & Kuhn)

"Emil Helbig (died 018.06.1976) was born on 12 October 1883 in Hainichen. After school and training as a wood sculptor, Emil Helbig went on a journey in May 1901, which took him as far as Italy. He returned home in 1908 and was married in 1912. Emil founded the company Kunstgewerbliche Schnitzereien Emil Helbig on 24 October 1933. During the GDR period, the company was forcibly nationalized under the Expertic association and many items were removed from the product range for being "too complex" to produce. Savings were also made on painting due to economic shortages. The company today believes that due to the mass production during this time, the figures lost their quality and identity. Emil ran the company from it's founding to 1955, when he was succeeded by his son Walter. In 1991, when Walter Helbig (died 15.12.2007) re-founded the company "Kunstgewerbliche Schnitzereien Emil Helbig" for the third time, the primary goal was to revive Emil Helbig's old values. From then on, they have carved and painted the figures as they had originally been developed. Since then, the "HELBIG brand" has once again stood for quality and originality. Today, especially when it comes to new developments, they make sure that they are recognisable as carvings from Helbig. Bettina Bergman took over the running of the company from Walter in 1995 and continues to the present day. The 2007 award for "Outstanding Preservation of Tradition" by the Association of Erzgebirge Craftsmen and Toy Manufacturers e.V. takes into account the efforts of three generations. Helbig is the oldest carving workshop still in existence in the Ore Mountains." (Source: Kunstgewerbliche Schnitzereien Emil Helbig)

Condition

Good Overall - Gentle wear

Dimensions

Largest - 2.5" x 1.5" x 3.75" / Smallest - 1" x 1" x 2" (Width x Depth x Height)