Wendt & Kühn - eleven dot post 2018/19 (international edition)

yo U R M Ag A z i n e F R o M t h e w e n d t & k ü h n wo R k s h o P s

1 2 th e d i t i o n

2018/2019

d e A R F R i e n d s o F t h e C o M PA n y,

seleCted Content

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Inside the Christmas Bakery Decorating tip

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A world of beautiful pictures Pinterest P is for pointed stick Grünhainichen Lexicon

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Of courageous globetrotters and merry angels 2018 collection additions

12 Going on a journey ...

Globetrotter 14 Enigmatic night owls Cover story 18 Fairy tale magic Sterntaler Girl 20 The wee conductor Living tradition 21 From our readers Personal messages 22 Farewell Leaving the collection at year’s end

Did the picture of our mischievous but clever-looking owls on the front cover make you smile? To me, it looks as though our feathered friends have human traits. Bringing them back to the collection was preceded by a long and intense discussion in the workshops. Their manufacture and the striking paint effects in particular pose exceptional challenges and make every figurine a true masterpiece of figurative craftsmanship. Our article on page 14 describes in detail how we have managed to come so close to capturing the true nature of these fascinating birds. We are already eager to see how well these unusual creatures will go down all over the world.

From my own personal experience I know that neither my great-aunt Grete nor my grandma Olly owned a television set. Something hardly imaginable today! Instead they did a lot of reading and reading aloud, including from fat books of fairy tales. We can still see clearly today that they often turned to the collections of fairy tales of the German writers Ludwig Bechstein, and Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, who found global fame as the Brothers Grimm, and Denmark’s most famous poet Hans Christian Andersen. We now know that Grete Wendt took inspiration from the stories and drawings in these books and created a wealth of fairy tale figurines in two separate creative periods. Some of these figurines are now returning to our collection, one by one. We introduce you to them on pages 18/19 and take you with us on a journey into the wonderful world of fairy tales at Wendt & Kühn.

Maintaining values handed down over generations and preserving traditions – this is what our family company has stood for, for more than 100 years. This does not mean however that we do not embrace the new and modern. So from now on we will be publishing particularly fine photos of successful decorations not only in this magazine, but on our Pinterest page too, at www.pinterest.de/wendtundkuehn. Please feel free to share your ideas with fellow enthusiasts all over the world, and show us where and how you have used our figurines at home to striking effect.

I hope you will enjoy reading this latest edition of the eleven dot post.

Claudia Baer, née Wendt

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d e C o R At i n g t i P

Inside the

Christmas Bakery What would Christmas be without the heavenly smell of cookies and gingerbread? Inconceivable! Every year, young and old everywhere gather to turn normal kitchens into bustling bakeries: The industrious Marguerite Angels are already right at home in such scenes: Merrily decorating the goodies and mixing fresh eggs, sugar and cocoa powder into chocolate icing on the stove.

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nd because they take so much pleasure in this work, they feel most happy when surrounded by their baking utensils. Therefore, arrange these little bakers to set the scene in front of a colorful gingerbread house or an old-fashioned cookie jar – as if they just finished creating their masterpieces. Pastry cutters, anise stars and cinnamon sticks also make for appealing holiday settings. Or position the cher-

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ubic little dough-pros atop your favorite cookbook – as a charming reminder to whisk your batter just a few times more.

And since the more is always the merrier, the Marguerite Angels will only too gladly convey cheerful cookie baking invitations. And who knows, they may meet some particularly industrious helpers themselves at Christmas – as utterly personal Christmas gifts straight from the baker’s heart.

PinteRest

A woRld oF BeAUtiFUl PiCtURes

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ocial networks such as Facebook, YouTube and Instagram have become such an integral part of so many of our daily lives, as routine now as reading the newspaper or listening to the radio. Pinterest has also captivated many people. On this platform, users can pin their favorite pictures to virtual pinboards and share them with other like-minded enthusiasts. The network has become a huge digital pinboard with something new to discover every day – and as of this year, that also includes a world of Wendt & Kühn imagery. Regardless whether you seek inspiration for a child’s birthday, the rebirth of springtime or a little Christmas magic, we endeavor to illustrate how to spread joy among yourself and others by decorating with and gifting our items. We invite you to browse, to find inspiration and to follow us at www.pinterest.de/wendtundkuehn.

We’re already showcasing exquisite decorating suggestions from enthusiasts all over the world there – if you’re a registered Pinterest user, we’d love to see how you create your own perfect settings for our figurines. Simply pin your photos to your board under the hashtag #wendtandkuehn.

gRünhAiniChen leXiCon

P is FoR Pointed stiCk

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ot, dot, comma, dash – done … But painting Wendt & Kühn figurines is not quite that simple. Dots can however be found in lots of places, for example the buttons on the dresses of the Blossom Kinder, decorating the neckline of the shirts worn by the Angel Musicians and forming the eyes of the Bunny Musicians. And of course the legendary eleven dots on the wings of the Grünhainichen Angels®. All these dots are made with a pointed stick. This fine wooden stick ensures that the paint is applied evenly. These wooden paint applicators are made in the wood turning shop and given their rough form there. The painters themselves then finish them to their own requirements. Using sandpaper they sand down the point until “their” wooden stick is just how they want it. Every size of dot

requires a paint applicator with a precise diameter. The only exception is the dots on the wings of the Angel Musicians.

Although these dots differ in size, only one wooden stick is used to apply them. Using varying pressure and differing amounts of paint, the painters vary the diameters of the dots, drawing on their intuition and their years of experience. It is truly spot on.

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ColleCtion Additions

Of courageous globetrotters and merry angels Every year a handful of figurines are selected from the Grand Sample Cabinet at our Grünhainichen headquarters to be reintroduced into our collection. Faithfully reproduced in accordance with the historic designs of Grete and Olly Wendt, their nostalgic charm and unmistakable appeal still captivate today.

Angel with BAlAlAikA

G o l d E d i t i o n N o– 1 1

L i m i t e d G o l d E d i t i o n N o– 1 1

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gloBetRotteR, Angel with sUitCAse,

gloBetRotteR, Angel with sUitCAse

g o l d - P l At e d

o n A M e tA l B A s e , g o l d - P l At e d ,

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in A sPlinteR BoX

650/124/LE

A MUsiCAl Addition

FoR gloBAl eXPloReRs

The brief description of the instrument played by this year’s new Grünhainichen Angel® is that it has just three strings and a triangular-shaped hollow body. Our Angel will show that the balalaika can be used to play more than just Russian folk music when it joins its friends in the orchestra.

Whether it is to travel to foreign lands or to find oneself, every journey, however long, always begins with a first step. The “Globetrotter” strides out full of courage.

He carries in his hand a 24-karat goldplated suitcase and in his breast a joyful heart. Lovingly fashioned by hand, this precious figurine is yet another example of skilled craftsmanship creating an exclusive work of art. Precision is essential not only in making the Angel, the suitcase, too, is very elaborate and is made with great attention to detail. It has four corner protectors and two straps that give extra security to the piece of luggage filled to the brim.

The metal base on which the Angel stands is also plated in 24-karat gold. Produced

Please note: While our products are available for purchase at your local specialist retailer or at the Wendt & Kühn outlets in Grünhainichen and Seiffen, Germany, we cannot accept individual mail orders.

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in a strictly limited edition, only 22.222 of these figurines will be travelling around the world. The individual serial number is printed on the underside of each figurine, on the base of its attractive splinter box, and also in the lovingly designed leaflet that accompanies it. This makes every angel a valuable and unique piece – as meaningful as the memories of the journey itself. For those travelling around the world and those returning home, as a gift for someone special you got to know on your travels. Or as a faithful companion to strange lands, or simply a memento of a happy holiday.

The Globetrotter is also available on a grey base – not in a limited edition.

gARdening with swing

MUsiC BoX “two giRls” with 18-note MUsiCAl MoVeMent

Whether Grete Wendt was enjoying working on her flowerbeds when she had the idea for the design of this music box remains a secret. What is well known is that she loved flowers. This is how to make gardening fun: while the cheerful gardeners are diligently tending their flowers and beds, they are accompanied by the gentle sounds of the high-quality Swiss 18-note musical movement. The melody “Ward ein Blümlein mir geschenket” (a German folk song about the joy of the garden) fits the scene perfectly. This 14-centimeter-high music box will delight keen gardeners, lovers of flowers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. It is also perfect as a musical thank-you for any kind person who helps out in the garden.

5318/28A A M U s i C A l tA s t e R : To hear a preview of the melody on our website, simply visit www.wendt-kuehn.com.

MARgUeRite Angel, sitting,

the MAgiC oF FloweRs

with sMokeR

Real pleasure is to be found in discovering the many fine details that lend such charm to the girl who this year swells the number of happy Blossom Kinder: the cheeky braids, the polka-dot dress and the fine collar on her blouse. A love of detail also distinguishes the scillas that she carries in her hands. Six graceful petals come together to create delicate star-shaped blooms that shimmer in different tones through the use of translucent paint. But beware. Tempting as these flowers are, they are protected (at least in Germany) and cannot be picked. What is more, according to an ancient superstition, you should not even smell them as that will give you freckles. Rest assured, however, the scilla that “grows” in our workshop is not known to have any freckle-inducing properties. And so we invite you to treat yourself to a fresh floral decoration.

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FRAgRAnt dUo

The scent of Christmas coming from the mouth of a smoker creates a really special atmosphere, especially during Advent. And so the small Marguerite Angel quickly places the tiny pipe of his smoking companion in its proper place. Does he know that he is holding in his hands a design steeped in history? The miniature smoker is based on an original design. The original smoker is nearly 20 centimeters tall – in the hands of this Marguerite Angel he barely reaches three. Despite this he still has the hair-thin moustache, the tiny spots on his cheeks and minute buttons on his coat. A perfect work of art in miniature.

giRl with sCillA

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Angel with two Candles

O w l , Sma l l , F ly i n g

O w l , M e d i um

O w l , Lar g e , w i t h C a n d e l abra

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P R O U D LIGHT B E A R E R

M A STE R LY T R IO O F OWLS

DILIGENT G A R DEN HEL P E R S

Who provides the atmospheric lighting when the large orchestra of Angel Musicians strikes up? The answer is the Angel with two Candles. Proudly it holds two wooden candles in its hands. It already featured in a supplement to the 1925/26 catalog – back then with candle holders for tiny wax candles. After resting in our archive of samples for 80 years, the candles burn even brighter on its return. Truly splendid and brilliantly enlightening.

Owls in Germany are regarded as symbols of wisdom and prudence. Olly Wendt was fascinated by them, and in July 1926 she designed her loveable night owls. They impress us with their timeless design, unique coloration and enigmatic aura.

The painstaking use of translucent paint makes them true masterpieces of figurative craftsmanship. The trio comprises the small owl (4 centimeters), the young owl (5,5 centimeters) and the wise candle bearer (8,5 centime­ters).

Last year the gnomes made themselves useful inside the four walls of the home, now they are turning their attention to the garden, and they are very welcome here, too. While the first of them carries a large tray of delicate little plants, the second one is standing by with the watering can.

The third member of the group makes this cheerful garden scene into a colorful painting. Which member of the plant family the six young plants the Gnome is carrying belong to cannot be exactly ascertained from the records in the archives – this is left to your own imagination. With their mischievous but cheerful nature, these busy little helpers will appeal not only to talented art lovers, young and old. All those who love flowers or own a garden will also be delighted to have them as cheerful companions, as in their own charming way they remind us to look after our plants.

3 Accompany us into the fabulous world of owls on page 14.

C A LEND A R 2 0 1 9 , c o mp l e t e

2 0 1 9 · i n Ge r m a n L a n g u a g e

3 6 5 d ay s o f p l e a s ur e

A travel-loving globetrotter, an industrious Marguerite Angel and joyful night owls will accompany you month by month in the 2019 calendar. A small Angel with a lantern has settled itself down on the frame. This and the Calendar Sheets are also available separately.

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Gnome with

Gnome with

Wat e r i n g C a n

B ru s h a n d Pa l e t t e

Gnome with Little Plants

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5243/3

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A n g e l w i t h Trump e t,

Angel with Bell and

Su s p e n d e d

C a n d l e , i n S tar

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650/80/53

L i t t l e Su s p e n d e d A n g e l , w i t h Tr i a n g l e

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C h r i s t ma s Tr e e A n g e l in ring, with Songbook

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A n g e l i n t h e T oy V i l l a g e

A n g e l , P ray i n g , o n C l i p

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A n g e l w i t h Ly r e , o n C o m e t

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O C h r i s t ma s Tr e e

The Christmas tree was serenaded for the first time in 1824 in the German Christmas song “O Christmas Tree”. Some 100 years later, Grete Wendt made sure that the tree can also be beautifully decorated with Christmas tree decorations from Wendt & Kühn. In the children’s supplement of one of the Leipzig newspapers from November 1933 it was reported that the star children played music so energetically that the eyelets of the heavenly bodies came loose and they fell to earth.

However, “A giant spruce caught them and held them fast in its branches”. From this year you can find the Angels with Lyre, Trumpet, Bell and Triangle there, too. The small Angel in Ring with Songbook is looking quickly for the words of a song while the praying Angel retreats into itself.

A n g e l , Sma l l , w i t h La n t e r n o n S t i c k

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The Angel holds the wooden box on its lap as if it were treasure. In it are stored the Angel’s favorite toys: a house with a red roof, a well-grown tree and a small wooden horse with even smaller ears.

This scene reminds us of the world-famous wooden toys from the Erzgebirge that still today bring happiness to child­ ren all around the world. These are usually packed in a wooden splinter box.

This story is now recounted by the fivecentimeter high Grünhainichen Angel®, bringing to life the toy-making tradition of the Erzgebirge. The tiny horse, house and tree are only a few millimeters high, but this makes the joy they spread with their charm all the greater.

S h i n i n g br i g h t ly

Brightly shines the lantern that the small Angel has placed at its side. And, as befits an Angel from the Grünhainichen workshops, before putting the lantern into use in the dark, the Angel used a fine paintbrush to painstakingly paint it with tiny moons and stars that glow with the inner light from the lantern. They light the way for the Angel’s small friends and larger siblings, and invite them along for an evening walk.

A n g e l i n T oy V i l l a g e , S i t t i n g

6 5 0 / 1 5 8 · Joining the collection in October

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S t e r n ta l e r G i r l

5285

S tar ma g i c

When stars fall from the heavens and turn into coins, it is fairy tale time at Wendt & Kühn. Sitting in a moonlit glade, the Sterntaler Girl from the famous German fairy tale “The Sterntaler” spreads out her apron – five stars have already landed in her lap. Three further stars, painted on with a fine paint brush, have fallen next to her on the meadow.

Grete Wendt designed the figurine before 1930 and nearly a century on she still impresses us with her modest demeanor.

An enchanting gift and exactly right for lovers of fairy tales, star gazers and those we wish to thank for their selflessness and helpfulness. And because we can not only catch the stars but puzzle with them, the Sterntaler Girl has now arrived on a 24-piece fairy tale jigsaw puzzle. You can look forward to the further continuation of our fairy tale collection which next year will be just as magical.

3 You can read more about the fairy tale world of Wendt & Kühn on page 18.

P u z z l e “ s t e r n ta l e r g i r l”

24 pieces, 9 x 15 x 3,5 cm MP/5285

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R i c h ly Pa i n t e d A n g e l , Lar g e ,

R i c h ly Pa i n t e d A n g e l , Lar g e ,

with Violin, Red

with Violin, Blue

553/4R/2R

553/4R/2B

M a g n i f i c e n t d e c o rat i v e pieces

With their long flowing robes the Richly Painted Angels from Wendt & Kühn are both graceful and elegant. Now for the first time two musicians playing violins, each an impressive 17 centimeters in height will be joining this exceptional product group. Few other Wendt & Kühn figurines combine perfection of form and color as impressively as the Richly Painted Angels. The striking way in which they are painted is quite unique and makes them true masterpieces of figurative craftsmanship. The translucent paint that is used creates a sea of color which reflects the light in all directions. On the wings of the Angels tiny dots and hair-thin lines form a magnificent flower. Precise and detailed – masterly and artistic.

But it is not only the coloration of the Angels we find so enthralling, their modelling is equally impressive. The figurine is sanded numerous times until a body emerges that has the unmistakable shape of the Richly Painted Angel, whose robes – though made of wood – appear to swing lightly to and fro. With their up-

per body leaning slightly backwards, their heads softly inclined as if in thought, they delicately stroke the strings of their violins – as if they are one with the music.

Standing on their own on a sideboard or shelf, these Angels create a real focal point all year round.

Paper Napkins “The Magic of Christmas”

Dimension 33 x 33 cm 526/22/Weihn

C e l e s t i a l p l ac e s e t t i n g s

Wendt & Kühn continues its range of popular paper napkins with a new Christmas motif for a truly heavenly festive table. The picture is a beautiful drawing showing Grünhainichen Angels® together with their Marguerite Angel friends.

s e t d i s P l Ay s h e l F w i t h B l o s s o M k i n d e R A n d F R i e n d s ,

s e t d i s P l Ay s h e l F w i t h M A R g U e R i t e A n g e l s ,

7 FigURines

7 FigURines

Dimension Package 52 x 26 x 13 cm 5248/SET/1

Dimension Package 52 x 26 x 13 cm 634/SET/1

s e t A n g e l M o U n tA i n w i t h g R ü n h A i n i C h e n A n g e l s ® , 26 FigURines

Dimension Package 52 x 26 x 13 cm 650/SET/1 M o U n t F o R d i s P l Ay s h e l F, 1 PA i R

551/H

F i R M s tA n d

the PeRFeCt giFt

You will already be familiar with our display shelves that for over a year now have been offering new ways of displaying selected favorite figurines in a modern setting. We have now developed this idea further. Anyone who does not want to reach for the drill to attach them to the wall, or who is not permitted to, no longer has to do without these stylish display units. Perhaps you value the flexibility of giving your figurines a stage you can move around? The new mount makes all this possible. Simply place the frame on the two wooden feet and your shelf is firm and secure. This set is available as an option when you buy a new display shelf. If you already own a shelf and would like to add a mount, you can order one from your Wendt & Kühn specialist retailer. We will then send it to them, free of charge.

Are you looking for an unusual present for a very special and meaningful occasion?

Something stylish, timeless and of value?

The new gift sets from Wendt & Kühn are all of these things. With great care we have selected representative figurines from the different families and arranged them in groups. This means you can hand over your gift confident in the knowledge that the figurines have been chosen to complement one another. The figurines take their place on a stage that shows them to their best advantage. Thus the merry Blossom Kinder and their friends, seven in total, and the seven hard-working Marguerite Angels are arranged on a modern display shelf, the 26 Grünhainichen Angels® have taken their place on a three-tiered Angel Mountain, and the five musicians in the “White Timbre” Edition present themselves on smart black pedestals. The

set white tiMBRe edition, 5 FigURines

Dimension Package 52 x 26 x 13 cm 650/200/SET

figurines are securely packed in a green gift box that keeps them safe until they are handed over to their new owner. The high-quality packaging with its distinguished look and size, the box measures 52 centimeters length, makes this a very impressive gift. And as they come as a complete set, they are perfect for “newcomers” and those who are just starting out on their collector’s journey. Perhaps this will be the start of a wonderful new love affair …

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gloBetRotteR

Going on a journey ...

“To travel is to live” was a sentiment expressed by the Danish poet and writer Hans Christian Andersen, who clearly knew about more than just fairy tales. What is certainly true is that travel stands for a spirit of adventure and discovery, it opens our eyes and teaches tolerance.

Whether you are travelling near or far, to exotic lands or to find yourself, taking a short break or a world tour – it is rarely just about the arrival. Our Globetrotter takes you on an entertaining tour and to a time when Grete and Olly Wendt went on travels of their own.

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g R e t e A n d J o h A n n e s w e n d t (center), and their chauffeur enjoy the fresh sea air.

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ith a joyful heart in his breast and a golden suitcase in his hand, the Globetrotter strides out full of courage. Even if the suitcases of Grete and Olly Wendt were somewhat more utilitarian they probably painted a similar picture when the two women embarked on their travels. With them they took not only all the things one needs for a journey, but often the whole family as well, including the dog. They travelled, for example, to the Baltic Sea, to visit family in Freienwalde, to the Black Forest, to Denmark or to their summer house in Riga. In the early 1930s Grete Wendt wrote from Lake Chiemsee, “Dear Mam! I have spent a wonderful few days here on the Fraueninsel. Beautiful weather, swimming, peace and quiet, and great company. Tomorrow I travel onwards to Innsbruck. With warm regards (…) Your Grete.” In order to get from A to B, the Wendts chose to travel either by train or by car – usually driven by their own personal chauffeur.

Even when the two designers were not travelling with the firm intention of searching for ideas for their creative work, they often found inspiration that influenced their creative endeavors quite by chance. It was certainly following a trip to Denmark that they translated their impressions of the bustling market at the harbor of Copenhagen into the group of figurines known as the Danish Fisherwomen.

But they did not travel only for pleasure, business trips also featured on the agenda – to trade fairs and exhibitions in Leipzig, Munich, Monza and Barcelona. And not least to the prestigious Paris World Exhibition in 1937. Even as a student Grete Wendt liked to travel. So, for example, in 1908 she and her class at the Royal Saxon Academy of Applied Art went on a college study trip to Munich. She captured a snapshot of this excursion in her sketch book, and scribbled beside it a ditty along the lines of: “Weighed down with packages, with money in our pockets and feverish with excitement, we all met up at the station.” On another sketch she quotes her teacher Professor Junge also in verse, which sadly does not rhyme in English: “Words of wisdom from Fräulein Junge: strengthen your lungs, your heads, your hearts and your courage, that is what travel is all about and it will certainly do you good.”

How right she was! For when the traveler arrives, it is always with a suitcase full of stories and memories of small incidents and special moments. And whenever he opens the case, these make him stop, reminisce and smile. That is the feeling our Globetrotter wishes to carry with him around the globe. As a faithful companion to distant lands or simply a memento of a happy holiday. For those returning home and world travelers, those with wanderlust and for adventurers. As consolation for those left behind, his message is: “Don’t be sad, I will be back soon.” Or perhaps as a gift for someone special you got to know on your travels.

onCe ARoUnd the whole woRld … … is where we want to send our Globetrotter for a whole year – accompanied by you! Simply photograph your Globetrotter in prominent locations or in front of tourist attractions around the globe and upload your picture directly to our website www.wendt-kuehn.com by 01 August 2019. Select the “Experience” tab and from the drop-down menu select “Globetrotter on Tour”.

You can also send us your picture by email to globetrotter@wendt-kuehn.de or through the post. We would like to publish your pictures on our Pinterest board, too. If you have a Pinterest page, you can pin your photo to your board using the hashtag #globetrotter. In that way we can find your picture and pin it to our profile. As a thank-you we will enter all participants into a prize draw to win one of ten examples of the 2019 Gold Edition.

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CoV e R s to Ry

Enigmatic night owls

A JoURney into the

FA B U l o U s w o R l d o F o w l s Owls are everywhere. For many years they have adorned pullovers, mugs and cushions, and modelled for keyrings, cuddly toys and jewelry, so much so we can’t imagine life without them. Loved for centuries and seen as symbolic figures in myths and legends, today these feathered friends enjoy almost cult status.

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O

lly and Grete Wendt, too, were fascinated by these enigmatic nocturnal birds.

Countless sketches and drawings from nature – probably done on visits to outdoor wildlife parks – are proof of this. So it comes as no surprise that in July 1926 Olly Sommer (later Wendt) translated her observations into figurines. At times both Olly and Grete Wendt went almost animal mad. The pages of the company catalog for 1930 are full of apes, elephants, bears, pelicans, penguins, birds, storks – and of course owls as well. Five figurines were designed, and also a hat stand and a door knocker with an owl motif. Three members of the original owl family of five have returned to the collection this year – faithful to the original designs. eACh one UniQUe

Each owl in the reissued trio has been individually designed with playful details that give them their own particular charm. While the large, wise-looking one carries its candelabra with care, the medium-sized one looks on boldly. Both of them have heads that can be moved, so they spend their time looking either cheekily ahead or quizzically behind them, as owls do! Their siblings in the wild can turn their heads through up to 270 degrees. They can easily manage to look over their opposite shoulder without moving their bodies at all.

The owls from Wendt & Kühn are particularly agile, they manage to turn their heads right the way round.

The young owl, however, appears to be unimpressed by these antics, instead it seems to be spreading its gently curved wings for the very first time and getting ready to take its first flight.

AniMAl MAgiC

No other group of figurines from Wendt & Kühn combines perfection of form and color as impressively as these owls. The striking way in which they are painted is quite unique and makes them true masterpieces of figurative craftsmanship.

The exceptional coloration inherent in the designs requires exceptional technical skill on the part of the painter, as translucent paint is used on virtually the entire figurine. It is a painting technique that places great demands on the painter and requires an extremely steady hand, many years of experience and above all the skills of an artist. First the owls are dipped in paint to give them uniform light beige plumage. At this point the owl still looks rather sparse, depth is achieved only when the translucent paint is applied. Using a paint that appears almost transparent, achieved by mixing paint and thinners, up to seven layers are then applied, thin film of color after thin film of color. It might appear that different colors are used, but in fact the paint color remains the same. The secret is layering the paint. The more layers that are applied, the more intense the color becomes.

Each time the painter applies another layer, she offsets her paintbrush a little to produce a soft, uniform fall of feathers. The paint is gradually built up so that the plumage appears thick and fluffy. Right at the end, the finishing touches are applied using the finest brush. With thin tiny strokes the painter adds the delicate markings on the breast that are typical for an owl – detailed and realistic, as if painted from nature. “Painting with translucent paint is simply a dream, and a real pleasure. The paint literally comes alive,” says Katrin Wojtkowiak, her eyes sparkling as she looks at the owl trio on her desk.

No other group of figurines from Wendt & Kühn combines perfection of form and color as impressively as the owls.

As product designer at Wendt & Kühn, she has spent many months with her feathered friends, grown fond of them and become a true owl expert. She already had some personal experience, as several years ago her family took care of a Tawny Owl that had injured its wing when it was in collision with a car. “It gradually regained its strength in our workshop at home and finally flew away fully recovered,” Katrin Wojtkowiak tells us almost wistfully. “Its plumage fascinated me even then, every feather beautifully patterned and precisely positioned.

To be able to recreate this in our reissued owls was for me a real labor of love.”

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C O U NTLESS SKET C HES A ND N AT U R E ST U DIES document the intense involvement of the two designers in these fascinating birds.

But it is not only the coloration that contributes to the excellence of the figurine, its modelling is also very impressive. The symmetrical form, turned either in the shape of a bell or an ellipse, is sanded numerous times until a body emerges with all the characteristics of an owl. Much sculpting is also required, for example to create the surface for the owl’s large eyes, which in contrast to the eyes of other birds stare rigidly forward. The tiny beaks of the two smaller owls, and the feathered tufts on the head of the young owl are made from a turned ring. The art of ring turning is unique to the Erzgebirge and not practiced anywhere else in the world. With a practiced eye and a steady hand, the turner uses his tools to create a delicate wooden ring with the contours of the beak and tufts. The ring is then cut into slices. Olly Wendt remained true to nature in her design of IN THE WOOD T U R NING SHO P

an initial bell-shape is produced on the lathe. Only with much sanding does the soft, curved shape of the owl’s body emerge.

Gauges, as used for drilling and sanding for example, are useful aids in this.

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the striking feathered ear tufts that adorn the heads of the two larger figurines. Gently curved, they softly frame the faces of the owls. A small, but not insignificant detail – for it is just these enchanting features that make these figurines so unique and endearing.

O F GOOD L U C K , B A D L U C K A ND WISDO M

But what is it about these masters of flight that fascinates us so much that through the centuries they have played such an iconic role in the lives of men? Perhaps it is their friendly look that conveys a certain familiarity. The face with the small beak, large eyes and what look like cheeks are reminiscent of humans. Their soft feathers and down create a feeling of security. Their ability to fly silently at night has always given the owl an aura of being special and also somewhat enigmatic. Over time they have had a wide range of characteristics attributed to them, so they were revered, admired and feared in equal measure. In ancient Greece, the call of the owl was considered a bad omen. In the Jizera Mountains, between the Czech Republic and Poland, their appearance in broad daylight luckily merely heralds a rain shower. Popular beliefs and symbolism are often shaped by regional circumstances. So there are regions where the call of the owl is not a portent of doom, but an announcement of the birth of a child – for example in the Swiss region of Bern.

If an owl enters a dovecote, it is said to bring good luck. In many parts of the world, these nocturnal birds are known

Did you know ... … there are approximately 200 different species of owls?

… the world’s largest owl species, the Siberian eagle-owl, lives in Russia, grows to a length of 75 cm and has a wingspan of approximately 1,70 meters?

… the scops owl, about the size of a blackbird, is the smallest European owl after the pygmy owl?

above all for their wisdom. Tradition has it that Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, was always accompanied by an owl. Nowadays owls are often depicted wearing spectacles or a mortarboard and carrying a book as a sign of erudition, and they are often patrons of schools, universities and book stores. What is surely the most famous movie owl, Hedwig the Snowy Owl that belongs to the famous boy wizard Harry Potter, shows owls in the right light, as the good natured creatures they are. She is a true friend to him, and a trustworthy bearer of news.

And we bring good news, too. With their friendly demeanor and charming nature, this trio from Wendt & Kühn is perfect for all lovers of owls. And a wonderful gift for brilliant minds and bold operators, small eggheads and courageous explorers, too. As prudent counsellors in all situations, a source of wisdom in the workplace and with keen insight that will last forever.

… there are many other famous film owls besides Harry Potter’s snowy owl, Hedwig? For example, Archimedes from the animated Disney movie “The Sword in the Stone” (1963) put a smile on many faces and Rosalie from the Czech/East German fairy tale movie “Drei Haselnüsse für Aschenbrödel” [English title: “Three Wishes for Cinderella”] (1973) proved a faithful friend. In the animated 3D film “Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole” (2010), owls even play the leading roles.   … that we have a short film on our website which gives you a little insight into how we skillfully craft our owls?

You’ll find this video at www.wendt-kuehn.com under the “Experience” heading: “How our owls learn to fly”.

s t e R n tA l e R g i R l

Fairy tale magic A JoURney into the woRld oF FA i R y tA l e s At w e n d t & k ü h n

Autumn and winter are the time for fairy tales. As the days become shorter and the summer light fades we like to lose ourselves in stories and fairy tales. And enter into a world of fantasy in which just making a wish helps dreams come true. A world in which stars fall from the heavens as coins ...

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O

“

nce upon a time …” – four little words that on their own are not particularly out of the ordinary. But when you hear them spoken together and with that spark of magic that is so familiar to us, they gain the power to make the years fall away and transport us back to our childhood, when we listened spellbound to the stories our parents and grandparents read to us from old books of fairy tales. Grete Wendt, too, loved the world of fairy tales, and the books of fairy tales belonging to the Wendt family are still around today.

It was most likely an edition of the collection of fairy tales by the German writer Ludwig Bechstein that in 1926 gave Grete Wendt the impetus to translate fairy tales into small wooden figurines. For Christmas that year she received the book with a personal dedication as a gift from a long-term employee.

She designed her first figurines from the stories of the Brothers Grimm and Ludwig Bechstein. So, for example, around 1930 she created Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf. She also found inspiration in the stories of the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. The family owned his books of fairy tales, and small markings in pencil on the index page suggest that the owners found a lot of pleasure in reading them. And so in the 1950s a second creative period followed in which Grete Wendt developed further fairy tale figurines based on stories by Denmark’s most famous writer: The Little Match Girl and The Ugly Duckling.

Her earlier creative phase also included the modest heroine from the Grimms’ fairy tale “The Sterntaler”. This year we are breathing life once again into the Sterntaler Girl. She follows in the footsteps of Cinderella, who opened our fairy tale collection in 2017. Once upon a time there was a poor orphan who owned nothing except a morsel of bread. As she went out into the world, she gave away first her bread, then her cap, her jacket, her skirt and finally her shift to others in need. In return for her generosity the little girl was rewarded with a gift from heaven. “And as she stood there with nothing left at all, suddenly stars fell from the sky, and they were brightly shining coins.” This fairy tale was particularly

“And as she stood there with nothing left at all, suddenly stars fell from the sky, and they were brightly shining coins.”

popular before the First World War as it symbolized the compassionate man who helps others even when he apparently has nothing himself. Grete Wendt designed the figurine of the Sterntaler Girl even earlier than 1930.

Now, nearly a century later she still stands for compassion, modesty and care for others. Values that today are more important than ever and turn this figurine into a symbol for humanity, one of the reasons we chose this particular fairy tale to continue the Wendt & Kühn fairy tale collection this year. And as there are still many more fabulous fairy tale figurines designed by Grete Wendt in addition to the Sterntaler Girl, you can look forward to more magical reissues in the coming years.

for the 1937 catalog, the Sterntaler Girl (right) was placed together with figurines with prams and so was taken out of the fairy tale context. in A sketCh

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L i v i n g t ra d i t i o n

| Pa r t 7

“Even if Jonas hasn’t led his own orchestra yet, he already has his very own Angel Orchestra!”

H e i d i Wa g l e , Tr y s i l , N o r way

The wee conductor

I

n December of 2016, Heidi Wagle and a friend traveled from wintry Norway to Berlin to experience Germany’s famous Christmas markets first-hand. While strolling through the streets, Heidi spotted a couple of tiny Angel Musicians in a shop window.

They wore white frocks and their green wings were graced with eleven white dots.

One of the musicians – the conductor – reminded her of her son Jonas. Because he’d always had an intense fascination with conductors. Even as just a one-year-old, he’d grab any stick he’d come across and turn it into a baton, pantomiming the strains of the notes in the air. In nursery school, he’d ask to conduct any song the group would sing. And once, at three years of age, he simply clambered onto the stage during a music festival in Trysil and lived his fantasy, conducting the large orchestra with all his heart and soul. The picture of the pint-sized conductor even made the local newspaper.

If anything, Jonas Wagle Lysfoss’ fascination with music only grew from that point forward. He began drumming at eight years old and worked his way through all the percussion instruments he could find: xylophone, marimba, you name it ... It was the fusion of rhythm and music that particularly captivated Jonas. In high school, he naturally gravitated toward music programs, played in a variety of bands and

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eventually decided to study higher-level music with an emphasis on percussion.

And just this past May, he received the highest possible mark for his graduation concert performance. Ricocheting between the drums and timpani with interludes of acting and dancing, he presented a dramatic percussion-based synthesis of the arts, which not only won over the school officials but also the attending public.

Mom Heidi was of course in the audience.

She specially came from Trysil to Oslo that day. Once having arrived, she made a beeline for the opera house. Because there’s a shop there that sells Wendt & Kühn Angels from far-off Germany, as Heidi had learned from Wendt & Kühn in 2016.

Those first few Angels she purchased in H e i d i Wa g l e o f N o r way with a tiny Conductor Angel and her son Jonas, 21, who already conducted an entire orchestra at the tender age of three.

Berlin had awakened her passion for collecting. After all, what does a conductor need most but musicians to conduct! So it came to pass that two more Angels joined her ensemble: One with a cello and one with a kettledrum – reflective of her son’s musical interests.

Heidi’s latest visit to Oslo now meant new recruits to her small troupe. Jonas knew his mom would be buying two new Angels but he didn’t want to know which ones – so that his birthday surprise would be all that much bigger. Don’t let him know yet but Heidi bought the Angel with Gong and the Angel with Bassoon. “The angels belong to Jonas and he loves them more than anything else,” Heidi notes. “They’re still at home with us in Trysil but once Jonas gets his own place – and perhaps even his own family – then the Angels will live with him.”

Come the holiday season, the Wagles pres­ ent their Angels in grand style – even if Christmas decorations in Norway usually tend to be obsessed with Santa Claus. “All my friends are totally captivated by my little Angels,” Heidi tells us. “And of course I tell them all the history of each one.” The Angels spend the summers in their original green packaging – when they are gently roused in preparation for next Christmas, they will undoubtedly have a few more winged musician friends to welcome.

F r o m o ur readers

I’

m always so excited to receive your latest elfpunktepost. Your magazine is helping my Irish grandson learn German.

Thank you.

By n umb e r s

23

parts make up the Angel figurine with the Christmas Pyramid. Just to be absolutely sure, we counted them for you in the gluing department. Where, in innumerable crates lining long shelves, we store all the parts we join together into Blossom Kinder, Angel Musicians or music boxes. Or our tiny heavenly messenger gracefully placing a red candle onto the pyramid. Three candles, a gift, the vane wheel, the body of the pyramid plus mount and two legs, a bench … when one adds up all these parts, there are nearly two dozen needing to be carefully glued by the craftsmen in our workshop.

Without overdoing the cold wood glue.

As with so many other things here, it all comes down to just the right amount so that the pieces – some only a few milli­ meters in size – will adhere perfectly at their precisely predetermined location.

Incidentally: Particularly in the Erzgebirge, the home of Wendt & Kühn, Christmas pyramids are considered a prominent symbol of Christmas. The carousel-like frames are produced featuring both Christian as well as secular themes, for example depicting the mining industry or forests and hunting. As the heat from the candles rise, it turns the vane wheel which in turn rotates the turntable around a rod. The rotating candle holders not only provide a cozy, relaxing atmosphere in festively decorated homes, super-size versions also adorn the market squares of cities and villages.

E . N i t z s c h e | Mi d l e t o n , Ire l a n d

O P EN HO U SE D AYS 2 0 1 8 / 1 9

W

elcome, come on in! That is the oft-repeated refrain heard during the popular Open House Days of Wendt & Kühn at our Grünhainichen manufactory and our World of Figures in Seiffen, Germany. Hundreds of visit­ ors gladly seize the opportunity to get a glimpse behind the scenes. From the turning and gluing to the dipping and painting departments – guests visiting Grünhainichen watch our famous figur­ ines being handcrafted right before their very eyes.

The Open House Days at The World of Figures in Seiffen give you an unforgettable chance to look over the shoulders of our staff in the gluing and paint shops.

And you will be certain to take home one or two ideas for gifts as well as inspiration for tasteful decorations in your own home.

Op e n H o u s e Day s i n Gr ü n h a i n i c h e n

December 1 and 2, 2018 May 11 and 12, 2019 November 30 and December 1, 2019 10am to 5pm daily Op e n H o u s e Day s i n S e i ff e n

October 20 and 21, 2018 April 20 and 21, 2019 October 19 and 20, 2019 10am to 5pm daily

Our Wendt & Kühn dealer in Japan wrote us about one of their customers: ur customer was very pleased with the repaired music box. They were so appreciative of your professional work and they described how they were moved to tears when they opened the green box and finally heard the beautiful sound of the music. It reminded them of their youth – the time when they found the music box in the Netherlands, when they were just 20 years old. The quality of the sound hadn’t changed at all after 32 years.

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Y

our Christmas catalog never fails to please me – my collection of little Angels grows with each passing year. Thanks so much for your Angel post.

C . K l e i n h e i n z | L a w re n c e v i l l e , Ge o r g i a , U S A

I

sincerely want to thank you for the beautiful elfpunktepost issue! When I read it – written in the language of the heart – it’s like being magically transported back to my homeland. Homeland – where you are at home. We have five children – all now young adults. We always get together over Christmas and by now, it’s quite a large family. We’ve had a tradition for years where everybody finds one of your little angels on their breakfast plate Christmas morning. That’s also a little piece of home. To create this Christmas magic, I have a special money jar I add to throughout the year.

E . Gr ät e r | M ö t z i n g e n , Ge r m a n y

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l e AV i n g t h e C o l l e C t i o n At y e A R s ’ s e n d

| 2018

Farewell

The figurines shown here have been on sale through our retailers this year for the last time. They will now return to the workshop’s historic Grand Sample Cabinet for at least five years. As this eleven dot post goes to print, some of these items have already been completely bought up by our Wendt & Kühn specialist retailers. It is only through them that you will be able to find out whether they are available.

giRl with

BUnny MUsiCiAn with

BUnny MUsiCiAn with

MAndolin

sheet oF MUsiC

PA n F lU t e

5350/4

5350/12

5350/27

with APRon

5240/5

5240/6

BUnny MUsiCiAn with

MARgUeRite Angel,

MARgUeRite Angel,

MARgUeRite Angel,

knitting BiedeRMeieR

sitting, with gingeRBReAd

sitting, with tRee

s i t t i n g , w i t h t oy B o X

5272/8

634/70/2

634/70/3

634/70/6

CUPid, kneeling

CUPid, sUsPended

6 -t i e R e d A n g e l M o U n tA i n , w i t h 1 6 C A n d l e h o l d e R s

650/111

650/112

550/B6

i M P R i n t e l e v e n d o t p o s t · 1 2 t h E d i t i o n · G r ü n h a i n i c h e n , Ge r m a n y, A u g u s t 2 0 1 8 Publisher: Wendt & Kühn KG, Chemnitzer Straße 40, 09579 Grünhainichen, Germany · Telephone: +49 37294 86286, Telefax: +49 37294 86129, www.wendt-kuehn.com Chief Editors, legally responsible for content: Claudia Baer, Thomas Rost, Wendt & Kühn · Editor: Lena Sabotta, Wendt & Kühn · Design: schech.net | Strategie. Kommunikation. Design.

Translation: Dr. Sternkopf media group · Text: Sylva-Michèle Sternkopf (20) · Photography: ruemmlerfotografie (1, 5, 16, 17), Kristian Hahn (2, 12, 18), Marcus Heilscher Fotodesign (4, 23), Michael Feindura (14), Tina Schramm (21), private (13, 20), archive Wendt & Kühn KG (13, 16)

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eAsteR giRl

egg BAsket

w w w.w e n d t- k u e h n . C O M