Discover Germany | Design | Product of the Month
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH
‘White Timbre’ Edition
– Tradition meets modernity The product line ‘White Timbre’ edition from Wendt & Kuehn is puristic and of simple elegance. The avant-garde composition impresses with contrasts in shape and colour and lets the musicians shine as solitary artworks in timeless beauty. TEXT: WENDT & KUEHN KG, TRANSLATION: NANE STEINHOFF
The association ‘Deutsche Manufakturen e.V.’ has already recognised that this implementation is successful – with the special award in the category ‘design’ and winning third place in the overall ranking for the award competition ‘manufactory product of the year 2016’. Manual perfection and impeccable aesthetics create excellence. A pure, brilliant white accentuates the distinctive design vocabulary of Wendt & Kuehn’s angels and emphasises their trademark – the green wings with 11 white dots. On a black podium of contrasting colour to the figurines arises the special. Sparingly 12 | Issue 43 | October 2016
used gold stages the instruments as beautiful decoration pieces; a homage to a modern designer of her epoch, to company founder Grete Wendt (1887 – 1979). With this special edition her heritage becomes a living legacy. Even during her lifetime her modern and lively designed figurines were celebrated as reinterpretations of traditional woodworks from the Ore Mountains and as successful examples of modern folk art. Up until today company founder Grete Wendt’s and designer Olly Wendt’s (1896 – 1991) handed down figurine designs and drawings form the product range’s,
Main image: The ‘White Timbre’ edition has enriched the manufacture’s portfolio since 2015. The violinist, the saxophonist and the angel with the gong are part of the trio. Photo: © Marcus Heilscher Top: The Wendt & Kuehn World of Figures in Seiffen – excursion destination for inspiring and creative experiences for each generation. Photo: © TMGS. Above: A ‘Grünhainichener Engel®‘ gets its 11 famous, white dots on its wings. Photo: © Sabrina Rothe
the brand’s and the success’s foundation. The sample treasure that Wendt & Kuehn draws from is classified as a unique characteristic and makes the products unmistakable. For 100 years, each figurine has had a soul and values that result from the unique, artistic ambition from the designers. While carefully further developing their product range, new paths are sometimes pursued that have not been explored yet – impressively implemented with the ‘White Timbre’ edition. The traditional manufactory Founded in 1915, Wendt & Kuehn is one of the most-renowned German manufactories and is the most wellknown manufacturer of fine craftsmanship from the Ore Mountains. Besides the famous ‘Grünhainichener Engel®’ with the 11 white wing dots, which served as inspiration for the ‘White Timbre’ edition,