Despite sharing a name with the famous mountainous region in Germany, the Black Forest style originated in Brienz, Switzerland in the early 1800s. Black Forest carvings incorporate realistic renderings of animals into household items, such as clock cases, picture frames, and other decorative objects and furniture. Favored woods came from trees prevalent in the region, such as maple, linden, and walnut (they were also all good wood for carving). Our pair of Black Forest ibex statues were carved from linden wood in the 1800s.

One of the ibexes is a female, with short horns that rise almost vertically. The male has much larger, recurved horns with prominent transverse ridges. Both representations are very realistic, from the shaped horns to the musculature seen beneath the textured fur. The animals have been depicted as standing on rocky terrain with jagged crags, most likely indicating that these are Alpine ibex, that live in the mountains just below the snow line. These beautiful decorative accessories can be placed on a small table, mantel, or shelf in any room of the house.

CONDITION: Good antique condition with fleabites, minor nicks, and light buildup. Professional restoration work to a horn of the male and a leg of the female.