UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories Imperial German Uniforms, Orders, and Decorations Imperial Allach ...

Gary,

Love those Kärner puppies and the Zicklein, they make for quite a handsome trio! Looking at the two dogs together makes for a good study of just what happens when the artist applies color to the stark white figure. Details like the prominent toenails seem to almost disappear into the background, while on the other hand, tiny aspects like his whisker-pores can be readily highlighted. You and Tristan have the right idea, one white, one painted.

Best!

Bill

Great eagle, Bill! I love the delicate talons on his feet.

Gary, it really is interesting to do comparisons of colored and white pieces. While I am normally a fan of colored pieces, I have to say that I do prefer the white version of that Karner pup.

And of course, that goat is very nice, too.

I'll toss my hat into the ring for the side-by-side comparison of pieces, too, with Karner's 'Mohammed' horse sculpture for Rosenthal. I've posted both in separate posts in this thread previously, but not together. In this case, the colored piece is significantly older and has crisper mold detail, so you can also see how a mold will deteriorate over time, even from the same manufacturer.



Keep sharing, guys!

T.

Hi Guys, back home and raring to get back in the groove. Having said that there is not a lot of (reasonably priced) Allach out there so maybe have to fall back on the''second tier' of tunics!
Anyway, great dogs,Gary and wonderful eagle,Bill to say nothing of those two horses of'T'. Interstingly, with my 'Rearing Horse' duo, it is the coloured one that lacks the detail of the Allach, but that is the latter of the two so supports 'T's comment on the deterioration of molds over time.
'm attaching my white/coloured 'man's best friends' just to give me something to contribute to the party.
Thanks again to all for this great thread!

Gents,

Thanks for the fine additions!

I was wondering if any of our regulars are going to the MAX Show in Pittsburgh this year? Just wanted to say I'll be setting-up and bringing a good supply of Kärner pieces as well as other porcelain animals along to sell.

If any of you have a chance to make it I look forward to buying beers for my old amigos.

I got very lucky this past week and purchased a couple of neat things that I'll share, if the big storm doesn't mess with the electricity this weekend ... heh.

Best regards to all and good collecting!

Bill

Willi:

I will be at the show, coming in Wednesday and leaving on Saturday, staying at the Doubletree.

See you there!

John

John,

Sounds good, will see you there!

One of the new delights I mentioned earlier is this baby raven that I got from a lady near London. Gary was good enough to stop by her place after work one night and pick it up for me. He checked it out and says it's in perfect condition, just like she said. Sometimes the big German auction houses have a colored one, but I've never seen another all white example.

Sculpted for Schwarzburger Porzellan Werkstätten in 1914 by Wilhelm Neuhäuser, who also went on to work on Himmler's staff of Allach artists. Sort of makes it easy to see why he was one of the handful to be chosen.

Remember Wotan's two ravens, Huginn and Muninn?

When Richard Wagner composed his great operatic saga "Der Ring Des Nibelungen," which borrowed liberally from both Norse and Germanic mythology, he used the Germanic pronunciation "Wotan," rather than the more Scandinavian "Odin." Huginn and Muninn survived the transfer, and while they play a relatively small part in the tetralogy, their presence is felt in at least two crucial points in the drama. Just prior to his death in the third act of "Götterdammerung" Siegfried is distracted by the ravens. When he turns to observe them Hagen thrusts his spear into the hero's back and kills him. Then, in the climactic scene of both this opera and the entirety of the Ring, Brunnhilde sends the ravens forth to summon Loge, sending him to Valhalla to set fire to the great palace of the gods.

Hope you enjoy this little Rabe, (German for raven, pronounced rah-beh)

Best!

B~

Bill, a very nice eagle! I love the talon detail on yours, I don't believe I've come across another from this maker.

Gary, T, Tristan, always a pleasure viewing your great finds, I like the comparisons, but I have to say I'm fond of the painted versions most of all.

Bill, That's some Raven you have! I just wanted to mention that the British have a long fascination and history with these birds as well. Their are a few myths and legends surrounding these great birds that reside at the Tower of London which makes for great story reading. This place is without a doubt one of my favorite places to visit when in London.

Mikee,

Thanks for always taking time to add that 'extra-pinch' of firsthand knowledge to our additions, it really rounds out the flavor of the great images we get to share.

Y'all remember looking at and discussing Max Esser's work throughout this little compilation, right? Well, even though I don't own the following pieces, I sure wouldn't mind ...

Over the past several months I've been checking out Herr Esser's career and studying whatever photographic details of his animals that I could find. I've tucked away a few noteworthy images of his work that I think you'll all enjoy. One photo that I couldn't recover is of the artist in his atelier, surrounded by taxidermed animals, anatomical references, drawings, paintings, interspersed with several completed and also 'in-progress' works and studies. Naturally, his faithful German Shepherd companion laying at his feet while he works on an impressive animal sculpture.

First, a perched rooster and then a male peacock, both with their loving hens at their feet. Then, a pair of large wall-masks made of Böttger Steinzeug. A fearsome looking male baboon bearing his fangs and a fantastic tiger giving us the evil-eye ... a little something for a rainy day as we wait for Irene to arrive, heh.

Best!

B~

2/3

3/3

Bill,

Hope everything is okay and stay safe!

Magnificent pieces! Do you how large they are? Thanks for showing them.

Bill, that new raven of yours is very nice. He looks all puffed up and gangly, as baby birds tend to be. Really an excellent addition to your collection of feathered friends.

Those Esser pieces are quite impressive as well. The Bottger masks in particular have a rather gargoyle-esque quality to them that is very appealing to me.

Thanks for sharing, as always!

T.

Sometime ago someone posted a nice porcelain 1936 Olympic bell. I've wanted to compare the one I have with it but I always got distracted and now I can't find it in my searches. Anyone know were it is? If not I'll just post mine here. Thanks for the help.

Found it! Rare Bells Are they rare? I haven't seen many myself so I really have no idea.

Gents,

Always a pleasure sharing, really glad you found the stuff interesting!

I find these Esser grotesque animal masks extraordinary. I haven't seen the whole series yet, but I find them very intriguing and would love to own one if possible. I'm sure they're outrageously expensive and difficult to find. The factory most likely waits until they get an order of twenty-five or so before they'll re-cast any certain model, to make it worthwhile..? I've only seen one original photo of two men standing over one on a table and it looks a good size, I'd say app. 20 -24 inches? I know the weight for certain is over 8000+ grams, so what's that, roughly 20 pounds?

I'll get in touch with the factory and let you know what I find out.

Mikee - those bells are very collectible, not super-rare, but not growing on trees either. That little bank is a very neat unit ...

Best regards!

Bill

Ps I've found that Max Esser had a fascination with baboons for some reason - here's another one of his gems ...

Bill,

I think your right, expensive for sure but magnificent pieces of art. That Tiger is something else! Would love to see more!

I agree that bank is a neat little item to round out ones collection. These bells are very delicate and nicely made so I'll hold on to my bell till I get it's little brother. Congrats and thanks to Johnny for finding one so I could finally compare mine. Exact match!

It's no wonder with 300 hundred years of making this stuff, their doing something right! Produced some of the finest artists in history IMO!

Mikee,

I gotta agree, three hundred years of practice is a tough act to follow!

That's a lovely bell you have there, one has to enjoy these delicate objects that survived this long without damage. They'll be even better a hundred years from now ... hopefully someone who likes them as much as we do will end up with our goodies? heh...

I got an answer from the Meissen Company concerning the animal masks. Even though we're out of luck in regards to getting one, we might get lucky and find one someday, eh?


Dear Bill Warda,

Thank you for your interest in Meissen Porcelain and your kind inquiry.

Your German is very good.

The price of the “tiger mask” (order number: 949984-86004) was 4153,78 € (without VAT); 4943,00 € (VAT incl.).

Unfortunately, the mask was limited to 25 pieces and is out of stock.

If you have further question, please do not hesitate to contact us again.

Yours sincerely,

Doris Wagner
Customer service



Limitierte Kunstwerke | Architektur&Interieur | Schmuck&Accessoires

A bit out of my price range.

Also wanted to share this unusual character beer stein that I recently purchased. It's a Rastal copy of a rare Schierholz stein listed in one of their early 20th century catalogs. It surprised me to learn that Rastal was never a porcelain-producing firm, although, they did contract top-quality producers to manufacture their line of products. Even as a reproduction this funny Rehbock isn't seen very often on the stein market. A good size at about eleven inches tall and the quality of the paste is very satisfactory. Hope you might enjoy this clever little sculpture.

Best!

Bill

Bill,
That's a unique piece! Love it! Is this a fairy tale character?

That is a magnificent stein, Bill. It has so much detail and character; I particularly love that monocle. Yet another great addition to your collection!

T.

Has to be the ugliest thing I have seen in some time, how much ya want for it? ;o)

Ajax,

It's your right to decide what's ugly or not, free-thinking is encouraged on this forum. If you'd care to elaborate on why you find it so ugly, please be my guest.

Since I don't know who you are or quite how to take your comments, I wouldn't consider selling it to you under any circumstance.

Bill Warda

I thought the smiley and offer to purchase it would have been a clue that I was kidding. I forgot I was on GDC I guess.

Sorry if I might have misinterpreted your message, my bad. I guess the nuance went completely over my head and I reacted too strongly..?

I'm aware that GDC has a reputation for being overly stodgy, bordering on tight-assed. Personally, I'd hate lending any more credence to that theory, so I'll stay on my toes and try to avoid that in the future...

Kind regards,

Bill

Willi:

Stodgy and tight assed seem to fit you to a 't'



John

JZ,

Ummm.

Didn't know they made green Allach

Dave,

Oh no, the green-stuff is Zsolnay, from Czechoslovakia.

B~

TA Willi:

I thought that Zsolnay was from Hungary?

John

JZ,

You are correct sir!

TA-W

Animal Aficionados,

Thought it would be good to have a look at a couple of nice sculptures by painter/sculptor Helmut Diller. Helmut was the son of the well-known 20th century animal sculptor Fritz Diller, noted for his fine work in Hutschenreuther/Rosenthal porcelain and bronze. I'm sure at least one or two of Fritz's pieces are featured in earlier parts of this thread and possibly even one of Helmut's animals that Gary owns..?

Either way, I thought you might enjoy theses nice units ...

Best!

Bill

2/3

3/3

T-A Willi:

I love them all, but the first one, an elk?, is my favourite.

Hans

Bill, that last item is amazing! Imagine those horns in pure, pristine porcelain!

Hans im Glück,

Yes, a superb rendering of a big ol' elk. There are so many good animal bronzes out there on the web, no lack of talent by any stretch ...

Looking at works like these really tickles my fancy. To my eye there are just a handful of artists who capture not only the line and form of a bird or beast, they actually instill a small part of that creature's spirit, soul, or essence into the glass, granite or metal. Since I truly enjoy the diverse natural world that we share, it's a pleasure just to be able to see work on this level. Art for art's sake!

T - Always good to know you're keeping an eye on us from time to time. I don't think I've ever seen a sable in porcelain before, a pair of oryx, yes? The horns would be a hat-trick and a-half, wouldn't they..? Be assured, I'd settle for this bronze ... even the pelicans!

Bill

Bill,

Thanks for sharing this great pieces with us! If I had the means, and could only pick one of them, I would drop my money on that uber-stylish Giant Sable Antelope. What a killer piece!

T.

Bill,

Oh my, these are really really nice! I really love bronzes! I like them all and your pictures with lighting is great!
Hans Im Gluck is right! And may he always bring you veil Gluck (much luck) in the future, ivory version of course and it's actually a letter opener and as long as a dagger. Thanks for always sharing and it is for me a joy viewing your collection.

JohnZ, Elk? Well that depends, if your European it's refered to as a Red Deer. An Elk to a European is what we call a Moose.

Glad you all liked Helmut's animal sculptures, I thought you might.

Mikee, where did you get that lovely opener, I don't believe we've seen this one before? That's a fantastic carving by any standards, the detail like the sagging of the leather boot-tops is simply top-notch and brilliant. So many aspects to study and enjoy from the very top to the fine acanthus leaf cluster at the base. Now that's a keeper!

If you get a chance I'd love to see more of this wonderful item, you sure know how to pick 'em.

Best regards!

W~

Bill,

Thank you and I'm glad you like it! It is German crafted and I believe it was made during the Imperial time, but maybe earlier. I think 1850-1880. It has great detail to it snd as you can see by my measurement it's a pretty good size as well.