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 5 TH E D I T I O N
2021/2022
DEAR FRIENDS OF WENDT & KÜHN,
SELECTED CONTENT
4 Glowing lights and the enchantment of stars Decorating tip
5 Birthday Memories of Olly Wendt Anniversary
M is for Manufactory Grünhainichen Lexicon
6 Colour, Music and Emotion all through the Year 2021 additions to collection
14 Beautiful things of enduring worth Cover story
18 Presenting a cultural landscape UNESCO World Heritage Site
20 When dreams come true Living tradition
21 Preserving the past – shaping the future Sustainable
22 Farewell Leaving the collection at year’s end
I am sure you will agree that for more than a year our lives have been radically changed. We have had to do without the things we are used to in our everyday lives and that we cherish. It has been a time of adjusting our priorities and of becoming keenly aware of what is really important. A time that has sorely tested people, companies and relationships between them. We therefore feel all fortunate that we have been able to count on your loyalty to Wendt & Kühn in so many different ways. On behalf of all the employees of our family-run company, I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your greatly valued support, which means economic stability for our workshops. We still do not know what lies ahead. But what we need is quite clear: A wealth of ideas and a collection that once again will be received with joy and enthusiasm. Crafted following the principles of a manufactory that creates and preserves lasting values. We have dedicated the cover story on page 14 to our contemporary and forward-looking approach to quality and design, our perfection in craftsmanship and our strong commitment to sustainability. We are full of confidence that the work of our manufactory is today more relevant than ever. Further grounds for this confidence are that the collection produced in our workshops continues to be shaped by the aesthetic guidelines of our founder Grete Wendt and her long-term fellow designer Olly Wendt, née Sommer. Also relevant is that one of our design classics will shortly be celebrating a significant birthday. It was in 1923 that Grete Wendt launched the first three Grünhainichen Angels®. Now, 100 years later, they have grown into a full angel orchestra, famous all over the world. By contrast, the nativity scene designed by her has only just gone into production this year. You can read all about it on page 12. How different the creative styles of the two designers were is clear to see in many parts of our current collection. My grandma Olly, whose 125th birthday we will be celebrating this year, gave many of her designs their particular character through her use of rich ornamentation, and she created a wide range of her own figurines such as the Marguerite Angels, the richly painted figurines, the Moon Family and animal figurines. I wish you much pleasure in reading this, our 15th edition of the eleven dot post. Your
Claudia Baer, née Wendt
D E C O R AT I N G T I P
Glowing lights and the enchantment of stars
A
dvent is a time when candlelight transforms any room into a place of quiet reflection. When the scent of freshly baked cookies and elegant festive decorations make everything feel Christmassy. These three Marguerite Angels are very happy to be included. When it comes to arranging them, you can give your imagination free rein and, for example, add decorative stars, ribbons and small Christmas trees. This Christmas display looks
really good placed on an upside-down wooden or metal plate or bowl. A couple of colour-coordinated tea lights complete the charming arrangement and add a wonderful cozy glow. Tip: For year-round inspiration and decorative ideas for all seasons, visit www.pinterest.de/wendtundkuehn, instagram @wendtundkuehn or www.wendt-kuehn.com
A N N I V E R S A RY
B I R T H D AY M E M O R I E S O F O L LY W E N D T
T
his year we remember Olly Wendt, neé Sommer with great affection. An extraordinary woman and talented designer, whose unmistakable signature is still shaping the collection, long after her death.
Born on May 27, 1896 in Riga, now the capital of Latvia, she found her way to Grünhainichen as a young woman in 1920. This was originally intended to be a stepping stone in her artistic career, but she ended up staying there all her life. Here she discovered not only a love of designing figurines, she also found the man of her life. On February 19, 1930 she married Johannes Wendt, the brother of Grete Wendt, the founder of the company. In that same year their twins Hans and Sigrid were born. She experienced great happiness but also huge suffering in her life, which is documented in a special exhibition “Talent – Fate – A life’s work”. It can be seen at Wendt & Kühn World in Grünhainichen until the beginning of 2022. Numerous figurines, sketches, photographs, previously unseen documents and artefacts paint a portrait of the woman who worked side by side with company founder Grete Wendt. For a glimpse behind the scenes of the exhibition, visit wendt-kuehn.com/experience/olly-wendt-her-life-and-work.
In 1980, the then 84-year-old wrote how much she loved her work: “I am grateful and happy that I can still do it. After all, work is a blessing.” On the morning of April 28, 1983 she went into the painting department for the last time, the place on which she had left her creative imprint for more than 60 years. On June 13, 1991 Olly closed her eyes forever. But not without leaving memories of a profound, sensitive and warm-hearted person, a loving wife, mother and “grandma”, and also a great designer.
GRÜNHAINICHEN LEXICON
M IS FOR M A N U FA C T O RY
M
anufactory is a term we are hearing more often. But what exactly does the word mean? It comes originally from Latin, and is composed of the words manus – hand and facere – to build, do, make or produce. A manufactory is a production facility in which crafts people in different fields work together to produce an end product. Machinery is rarely used and then in more of a supporting role. The results are exclusive, premium-quality products. The history of manufacturing in Europe saw medieval craftsmen replaced by manufactories and these in turn were largely superseded by factories as industrialisation progressed. Today there are very few companies in the world that, like Wendt & Kühn, still meet the traditional definition of a manufactory.
COLLECTION ADDITIONS
Colour, Music and Emotion all through the Year They accompany us throughout our daily lives, touch our souls, add festive highlights to our Christmas decorations and make us happy: The new additions for 2021 are melodious, bring magic to the moment and provide inspiration for stylish gifts. Treasures brought back from the company archives generate just as much excitement as the stand-alone design pieces.
G o l d E d i t i o n N o– 1 4
L i m i t e d G o l d E d i t i o n N o– 1 4
ANGEL WITH BASS FLUTE
DISCOVERER, ANGEL WITH SHELL,
DISCOVERER, ANGEL WITH SHELL
650/82
(6 cm)
O N A M E TA L B A S E , G O L D - P L AT E D ,
G O L D - P L AT E D
650/127
IN A SPLINTER BOX
(6 cm)
(6 cm)
650/127/LE
OF SEARCHING AND FINDING
It is only those who travel life’s path with an open mind who discover the treasures that life has in store. The large and the small, the visible and the invisible. The new Gold Edition from Wendt & Kühn invites us to go on such a voyage of discovery. The angel holds a finely crafted shell in its hands. Its surface is plated in 24-karat gold and decorated with a pattern of fine converging lines. The shell is a symbol of all the precious things we find on our journey through life. And a receptacle, too, for all our personal memories.
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.
Our Gold Edition No 14, the Discoverer, is a poetical composition that encourages us to approach life with openness and curiosity. A wonderful gift for all those shell collectors large and small who always look down expectantly when walking along the beach. For those who love the sound of the sea. The metal base of the Discoverer is plated in gold. This version of the angel is produced in a strictly limited edition – only 22,222 of these figurines will be accompanying their owners on their voyages of discovery. 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. The Discoverer is also available on a grey base – not in a limited edition.
A MUSICAL EXPERIENCE
When the Angel with Bass Flute starts to play, it produces sounds that are both deep and warm. The musician’s fingers move skillfully over the instrument. In the real world of music this impressive member of the woodwind family has a tube that is more than one meter in length, and in the hands of this small angel it appears almost a little too large. But the flute player is strong and easily carries the weight of the instrument. When the angel plays the first harmonic notes, the particular charm of the bass flute is revealed. Its stability in the lower register and clear trebles create a musical treat that enriches the angel orchestra. Rehearsals for the grand concert to mark the 100th anniversary of the Grünhainichen Angels® in 2023 can now begin.
COLLECTION ADDITIONS
LOVING COUPLE UNDER ARCH WITH THREE DOVES, TWO WOMEN
(14,5 cm)
5407/3-1
LOVING COUPLE UNDER ARCH WITH THREE DOVES, TWO MEN
(14,5 cm)
5407/3-2
A L L YO U N E E D I S L O V E
A TOUCHING SCENE
The Marguerite Angel and child sit affectionately side by side on a bench, a golden book in the angel’s hands. For the young listener, all thoughts of playing with the doll and hobby horse are long forgotten. It is a scene that radiates love, calm and affection. And it is a tribute to
N H
Y
To make it completely personal, the painters at our manufactory can inscribe the base with a personal message, the names of the loving couple or a date, in beautiful hand-painted lettering.
M
Last year the Loving Couple under Arch gave rise to a lot of interest and provided a perfect way to send messages of love. We then received frequent requests for couples of the same gender. And so, from this year onwards two women and two men will walk side-by-side through the beaded arch as well. They are all dressed up to the nines – the women with summer dresses and hair accessories, the men with smart hats and fine shirts. These moving figurines make hearts beat a little faster – on the occasion of a wedding, an engagement or any other time where two people are celebrating their mutual love. Love as colourful and multifaceted as life itself.
W
MARGUERITE ANGEL ON BENCH, WITH B OY
(7,5 cm)
EN
DT &
K
Ü
MARGUERITE ANGEL ON BENCH, WITH GIRL
(7,5 cm)
634/10/2
634/10/1
Olly Wendt, who created this design. This pair of figurines is one of her private designs that never went into production. Now, nearly 90 years later, it is joining the main collection for the very first time.
if desired, is suitable both as a charming decoration, and as a wonderful gift for someone who needs an angel by their side – on the birth of a child, a christening or any other situation that life throws at us. You may like to know that this scene was originally designed with a girl. But as all children need an angel by their side, an additional version was created with a little boy, following the guidelines of form and colour from our grand design legacy.
In this scene, Olly Wendt manages to convey very movingly the magic of the written word, of reading and listening together. This pair of figurines, which can be inscribed on the underside of the base
COLLECTION ADDITIONS
GNOME WITH COFFEE GRINDER
(5 cm)
5243/4
MARGUERITE ANGEL,
A N G E L W I T H S TA R
SITTING, WITH PRUNE
CANDLE HOLDER AND
DOLL AND LADDER
CANDLE, RED
(4 cm)
650/171
(6 cm)
ANGEL WEARING CROWN, WITH LUTE
(6 cm) 6235/3
634/70/41
G I R L W I T H W I L D H YA C I N T H
(13 cm)
5248/27
F I N E LY G R O U N D
SWEET SOUNDS
The Gnome with coffee grinder sits on his bench and concentrates on turning the handle of the grinder round and round. This hardworking helper with his red hat and white beard was designed by Grete Wendt in 1925/26. He and his gnome friends still help with tasks around the house and garden, just as he did back then. Placed next to a “full size” coffee grinder or one’s favorite coffee, this small barista is an eye-catching decoration and a cheerful companion at the morning coffee ritual.
The Angel wearing Crown delicately plucks the strings of the lute. The golden crown that gives the angel its name sits proudly on its head and its pastelcoloured robe falls just below its knees. The lute player is the latest angel to join the group of figurines known as Angels wearing Crowns. This graceful yet joyfully childlike angel will enchant music lovers and fans of stylish Christmas decorations alike. And the magic is going to continue: Next year you can look forward to the addition of a further figurine.
F U L L O F T H E J OY S O F S P R I N G
Accompanied by the first invigorating rays of the sun, our new Blossom Girl trips cheerfully over the meadows. It is here that she has found the delicate flower she holds in her hands: wild hyacinth just like in nature. The delicate bell-shaped flowers bob on the warm spring breeze, just like the jaunty braid the girl has tied her hair into. Her red polka-dot dress shines even more brightly than her yellow hairband. Those charming details give the Blossom Kinder from Wendt & Kühn their distinctive look. The fine wooden flowers look just like the real thing: Six tiny bells adorn the flower stalk while three buds promise blooms to come. Each tiny bell has six notches cut by hand all the way round the turned bell. The translucent paint employed and the very fine lines on the blooms bring the wild hyacinth to life.
TWICE THE LUCK
Thread prunes onto a wooden skewer, top it with a paper ball and cardboard top hat and the prune doll is ready! As this traditional figurine, often manufactured by bakers and confectioners as a sweet treat for children, is based on the figure of a chimney sweep Santa’s little helper has put a ladder in its hand. If the wooden doll is paired with its edible counterpart, the two of them bring good fortune twice over.
BOOK OF FIGURINES 2021
510/2021
BY C A N D L E L I G H T
The Angel with Star Candle Holder brings a warm and cozy atmosphere to any room. A wonderful invitation to pause, dream and pursue beautiful thoughts. As a present for yourself or as a special gift for a loved one to whom one wants to bring joy with this special light. The gold colour of the star brings out the red of the candle holder and the simple white candle provides an elegant contrast.
REFERENCE BOOK
Firmly rooted in more than 100 years of history, we continue to develop our unique grand design legacy with the utmost care. The Book of Figurines 2021 bears witness to this in very many ways. As you leaf through it and study its pages you will see clearly the differences in style of the two designers, Grete Wendt and Olly Wendt, née Sommer.
COLLECTION ADDITIONS
MARGUERITE ANGEL
LETTER A-Z, SPECIAL CHARACTER &,
MARGUERITE ANGEL
WITH FLOWER,
WITH FLOWERS
(3 cm), can be ordered separately
EXTENDING TWO HANDS,
634/23/A–Z, 634/23/&
634/23/2
FOR LETTERS
(6 cm)
634/23/1
FOR LETTERS
(6 cm)
THE PERSONAL TOUCH
L A N D A H OY
Smiling gently, our Marguerite Angels stand beside a very special new addition – the letters of the alphabet. While one of the angels carefully places its hands on the characters, the other has brought with it a delicate flower. Flowers also surround the bright yellow letters that create an exciting contrast against the cloud-white robes of the angels. The design of the letters is based on a historic sample created by Olly Wendt in around 1934.
Grasping the helm firmly in his hands, a knowing smile playing on his lips and his eyes focused resolutely on the sea, the helmsman Jan Kimm sets course to join the current collection. This figurine was designed by Grete Wendt in 1959 as a special commission for an insurance company in Hamburg.
Both the angels and the letters stand on oval bases specially designed for this series, and this allows them to be joined together easily. Both angels, and each of the letters and the ampersand (&) character are available separately. This provides endless options when it comes to putting together personal messages – the name of a child, the initials of a couple joined by an elegant &, or a meaningful place name. Personal through and through, and things of beauty.
GIRL WITH BALLOON, LARGE
A design high point is without doubt the seafarer’s unusual beard. A spiral of wire frames his face giving him his robust charm. Forming the characteristic shape of his body requires exceptional dexterity and a great deal of sanding.
(105 cm)
541/0/3G
G R E AT J OY
The Girl with Balloon no longer simply dances on the “Children’s Procession” music box with a spring in her step, she now brings us huge joy as a large figurine, too. Perhaps she is on her way to a party, to make music, sing and laugh with other children? Her bright blue balloon follows her nimble steps, bouncing up and down. With an impressive height of 105 centimeters, she is certain to catch the eye and fill any room with childlike innocence and a hint of summer. Please note that there may be a waiting time of several years for this figurine.
HELMSMAN, SMALL, YELLOW HELMSMAN, SMALL, BLACK
(9 cm)
5 2 1 2 / Ge l b
(9 cm)
5212/Schwarz
COLLECTION ADDITIONS LITTLE SUSPENDED ANGEL, WITH BANDONEON
(2,5 cm)
6307/8
CALENDAR FIGURINE
CALENDAR 2022,
2022, ANGEL WITH
COMPLETE
FOUR-LEAF CLOVER
(23 x 17,5 x 4,5 cm)
I N S I LV E R
(4 cm)
2022
2022Figur
BRINGING HAPPINESS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR ANGEL WITH MARACAS, O N C O M E T TA I L
(5,5 cm)
I N S TA R
650/70/65
ANGEL WITH SAXOPHONE, SUSPENDED
(5 cm)
650/130/54
(7 cm)
650/80/41
ANGEL WITH GIFTS, ON CLIP
(5,5 cm)
S T Y L I S H TA B L E A C C E S S O R I E S
650/90/151
A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS TREE
ROCKING GAME
Decorated Christmas trees are a sign all over the world that Christmas is coming, even if the customs and traditions are very different. One thing, however, is certain: With each decoration carefully arranged on its branches, the magic grows. The Christmas tree angels from Wendt & Kühn provide a musical accompaniment to this magical atmosphere. Once the celestial messenger has taken its place on the evergreen branches, it strikes up its musical instrument with real feeling. Each additional angel adds a new layer to the melody. This year the sounds of the saxophone, bandoneon, maracas and clarinet will be heard particularly clearly, as they are the instruments played by our new angels. An angel with beautifully wrapped gifts on its knee perches in the branches on a golden-coloured clip and observes the happy bustle.
Full of pride, the small four-centimeterhigh angel holds a tiny toy horseman in its hands. Whether this is something the angel has just made, or is something they want to decorate or give away remains a secret. What is clear is that this jolly rocking horse and cheerful angel will put a smile on the faces of everyone who sees them. Arranged together with their angel friends, large and small, imaginative Christmas scenes can be created.
Our new napkins and candles come in delicate shades of green and warm brown. Both sets complement our popular range of table accessories. The pale green motif features a branch of fresh leaves with angels and a little bird singing a serenade. The second motif, in muted colours, delights us with its wealth of charming details: A ring-turned horse, splinter boxes, a pull-along duck and a hobby horse – all of them well-known accessories of the Wendt & Kühn angels.
C A N D L E „ A N G E L I N T OY VILLAGE“
ANGEL, SMALL, WITH LITTLE HORSEMAN
650/k/R
For the 25th time, a Wendt & Kühn calendar will accompany us through a new year. We are marking this “silver jubilee” with a very special calendar angel carrying a silver-coloured four-leaf-clover which is said to bring luck to its owner. The beautifully shot images on the calendar sheets change from month to month and provide moments of joy and happiness, and invite us to discover, marvel and dream. The calendar comes complete with wooden frame and figurine. The calendar sheets and angel can also be purchased separately.
A N G E L W I T H C L A R I N E T,
(4 cm)
(12 cm)
CANDLE „CHRISTMAS TREE D E C O R AT I O N S “
(12 cm)
WK/158
WK/CBS
PA P E R N A P K I N S
PA P E R N A P K I N S „C H R I S T M AS
”A N G E L I N T OY V I L L A G E “
T R E E D E C O R AT I O N S “
(33 x 33 cm open)
(33 x 33 cm open)
526/22/158
526/22/CBS
COLLECTION ADDITIONS
A BLAZE OF COLOUR
The finest flower painting on a dish from Meissen Porcelain® and a delicate Blossom Child from Wendt & Kühn come together in an elegant gift set created as part of a collaboration between the two traditional Saxon manufactories. This fulfils the request from our customers for high-quality one-off pieces as tasteful table decorations. The Blossom Child and dish, in which delicate nibbles can be served, bring a sophisticated touch to any stylish table. Made for people with the highest expectations of exclusivity and value.
ZUM W
bodenmar
H N ACH
bodenmar ausführun
EST
A D E L I C AT E G I F T
EI
SF
(12,5 cm)
35,6
T
C O C K E R E L , B U R G U N DY- B L A C K
5259/1
Cockerels in their natural environment are proud and colourful. They also form part of Wendt & Kühn’s grand design legacy. Their designs belong to Olly Wendt’s later works. She presented her cockerel for the first time at a trade fair in spring 1963, in a number of different colorways. But he never became a permanent part of the collection – until now! This feathered early riser will be available in October, for the first time. With his head thrown back and his beak open to deliver his daily wake-up call, he appears to be calling out his distinctive cock-a-doodle-doo. In order to make the cockerel’s plumage look as light as a feather, our painters apply coat after coat of translucent paint until the feathers shimmer in a multitude of reds. And to give his impressive plumage even more fullness, tiny paper feathers are glued to his wooden body. A bright red cockscomb and long black tail feathers made from very fine wood add further design details.
2021
version_1
S A N TA C L A U S , O N A S TA R
(6 cm)
5301/0/ST
CHRISTMAS FIGURINE 2021
With his full white beard and long red coat, our small six-centimeter-high Santa Claus gets us in the mood for the Christmas season. His face wreathed in a friendly smile, he stands on a bright yellow star and joins the popular range of miniature Christmas decorations that already includes an Angel holding Candles (2019) and a Little Horseman (2020). A special label on the underside of the base carries the words “Zum Weihnachtsfest 2021” (“For Christmas 2021”), as the figurine will be manufactured this year only.
GIRL WITH MARSH MARIGOLD, ON A MOUND, WITH MEISSEN PORCELAIN DISH
(Figurine 9 cm, Dish 12 x 9 cm) 5226/1
Its exclusivity is underlined by having the year 2021 painted on the underside of the porcelain dish – right under the worldfamous crossed blue swords. The limited edition figurine and dish come packed together in an elegant gift box. Next year this charming combination of wood and porcelains is set to be continued with a further exceptional gift set. Something to look forward to!
COLLECTION ADDITIONS
An early design with a great history A very special design from our grand design legacy has returned to the Wendt & Kühn collection: The nativity scene. It is not only the contemporary idiom, the simplicity, and at the same time the richness of detail in a number of the figurines that give this extraordinary group their character, it is also their fascinating history.
T
he nativity scene belongs to the few groups of figurines that Grete Wendt designed before she founded Wendt & Kühn. At the time she was studying at the Royal Saxon Academy of Applied Art in Dresden. The young artist was extremely fortunate to join the first class for women that it had ever offered. Before this, women had been denied access to the academy. The final stage of her course was a practical semester, which Grete Wendt completed at the Deutsche Werkstätten in Hellerau, now a district of Dresden. The company was an aspiring, modern enterprise. As a part of the arts and crafts reform movement, it was considered to be one of the most important manufacturers of furniture designed by well-known artists. Founded in 1898, the company moved several times before, in 1909, the foundation stone of a new factory was laid in Hellerau at the same time as work began on the famous garden city of the same name. The factory was commissioned in 1910.
Laid out like an estate, the factory halls and their modern architecture must have made quite an impression on Grete Wendt when she arrived to start her internship in October 1910. Karl Schmidt, the founder of the Werkstätten, gave her her first commission – to design a nativity scene. Her design was manufactured externally by the company Th. Heymann in Großolbersdorf, as at the time Grete Wendt did not yet own her own workshops. In 1911, shortly after she had designed the nativity set and the first samples had been made, the talented designer exhibited it at the Christmas exhibition of the King Albert Museum in Chemnitz (today the Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz). During the two-week exhibition her nativity scene attracted much attention from visitors. While the show was still going on, Grete Wendt received a request from the Dürerbund in Dresden to include her nativity scene in the product range of the Dresden Dürerhaus. At the time the Dürerbund was the leading cultural reform organisation in the German-speaking world. Even more prestigious for the young designer was the fact that the request came directly from Ferdinand Avenarius, founder of the Dürerbund. At the same time many specialist magazines and daily newspapers reported on the exhibition and they always mentioned the successful design by Grete Wendt from Grünhainichen.
T H E C O M P L E T E N AT I V I T Y S C E N E 2 5 0 , as shown in the 1924 catalogue
ORIGINAL DOCUMENT:
Letter from the Dürerbund to Grete Wendt dated December 8, 1911
M A RY
(5,5 cm)
JOSEF
5250/1k N AT I V I T Y A N G E L
(7,5 cm)
5250/2k
(6,5 cm)
5250/10k CHILD IN CRIB
(3,5 cm)
5250/9k
News of Grete Wendt’s talent spread and further commissions followed. The high-level of demand for her first designs, which in addition to the nativity scene include the Angel holding Candles, the Miner and the Berry Pickers was certainly one of the reasons that motivated Grete Wendt and Grete Kühn to found their own manufactory. This meant they were independent of other manufacturers and could organise their sales better. The nativity scene remained in the collection from 1915, when Wendt & Kühn was founded, until 1949 when it was moved to the Grand Sample Cabinet where it was to spend the following decades. After 72 years, it has now returned to the collection.
Grete Wendt’s design of 1910/11 was way ahead of its time. Its straight lines and minimalist style are akin to the language of form we would first expect from the artists of the Bauhaus in 1919. To this day the group of figurines is characterised by its modern design and impresses us with its clean lines. The colour palette completes the composition of the figurines and has been designed to reflect their social standing. Mary, Joseph and the shepherds are shown in simple, modest colours, while the robes of the three wise men make an impression with their rich colours and patterns. The Christ child lies snugly in a crib, wrapped in cloth. The stable, sheep and palm trees complete the scene, surrounded by a multitude of angels. From October 2021, the first figurines of this nativity scene will once again be available: Mary, Joseph, the child in the crib and a nativity angel. Further figurines will be added over the next few years until the scene is complete.
T I T L E S T O RY
BEAUTIFUL THINGS
of enduring worth
Manu factum – made by hand. The meaning of the Latin word, manufactory, contains this important assurance: When something is created by the skillful hands of an artisan, it exists in this particular form only once. So every product is unique. As individual as its maker. And as its recipient, into whose safe hands it passes.
W
hat does the word handwork mean today? In an age when machines can do practically everything. And one where the work of humans is often limited to programming these machines. At a time when the term “artificial intelligence” is a source of not only fascination and promise, but also fear. Isn’t it precisely the human element that so fascinates us in products made by hand? People making beautiful things for other people – a wonderful cycle that goes full circle. When such work is valued this creates a deep sense of satisfaction, and also a feeling of exhilaration when one is lucky enough to acquire something unique. We look within ourselves to find strength and reflect on what truly matters. And it is for this very reason that the work of a manufactory is still relevant today. More relevant indeed than ever. S H A P E D BY A R I C H H I S T O RY: M A N U FA C T O R I E S I N S A X O N Y
M
anufactories have shaped the face of the economy of Saxony for hundreds of years. Handwork has thrived here ever since the time when rich silver deposits were discovered in the Erzgebirge more than 850 years ago. Silver stimulated not only the processing of ore and the lumber industry, the manufacture of glass in Saxony is also closely bound up with mining. Place names such as Glashütte are living proof of this past history. Today, the name Glashütte is associated with the finest world-class watches. This one small town in Saxony is home to ten manufactories all striving to attain the highest degree of perfection in watchmaking. The precious metals dug by the miners from the depths of the mountains in the Erzgebirge found in Dresden, the seat of the Electors of Saxony, enthusiastic purchasers and art-lovers with a penchant for beautiful things. Pewterers and silversmiths created works of art that can be admired in the Dresden State Art Collection to this day. However, the great dream of the Kings of Saxony was always the manufacture of gold. It was in the pursuit of this vision that Johann Friedrich Böttger
achieved a great stroke of luck at the beginning of the 18th century when he discovered white gold, otherwise known as porcelain. Now Elector Augustus the Strong could adorn his royal table with plates, bowls and jugs delicately painted with patterns and artistic designs. This tradition is maintained with artistry and finesse to this day at the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory (Staatliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Meissen). Musical instruments from the Vogtland region of Saxony are also world famous. The region around Klingenthal and Markneukirchen is known as the “Musikwinkel”. Here, more than 100 traditional manufactories produce handmade violins, trumpets, guitars and almost the entire range of orchestral instruments. Musicians all over the world value the fine timbre and excellent tone of these instruments, produced by the master craftsmen of Saxony.
“In our manufactory we rarely talk about sales. We would much rather enthuse about the beauty of our products.” THOMAS ROST HEAD OF SALES AND MARKETING, WENDT & KÜHN
Whether it is watches or porcelain, high-quality musical instruments or fine wooden artefacts like the figurines from Wendt & Kühn, the excellence of Saxon craftsmanship can still be seen today in the products that leave the manufactories. What all these products have in common is a long history, premium quality, the dedication of their creators, and an absolute commitment to creating beautiful products of real value and enduring worth. T H E VA L U E O F H A N D W O R K
S
mall is beautiful, quality not quantity – these two maxims are the guiding principles at Wendt & Kühn, where the fine German handwork of its skilled employees has been producing premium quality products since 1915. With close attention to detail, an infallible instinct for all that is beautiful, and inspired by a desire to bring joy with every artefact, large or small. For the recipient who will touch it with their hands. Who will stroke it, turn it this way and that,
THE VOGTLAND REGION AROUND MARKNEUKIRCHEN, KNOWN AS THE “ M U S I K W I N K E L” A N D T O D AY “ M U S I C O N VA L L E Y ”, is home to small and mediumsized master craftsmen who still maintain the tradition of producing world-renowned hand crafted musical instruments.
examine it and take it in. Who will experience it with all their senses. The eyes recognize its graceful form, its artistic lines, its aesthetic composition. The nose takes in the smell of the wood, the fresh paint, the delicate scent of something new that will also grow old with us. The ears hear the stories the figurine has to tell. Stories of their creation and of the history of the manufactory where they first saw the light of day. The history of the designers who many decades ago poured all their creativity into creating these figurines of timeless beauty. Stories of the craftsmen and women who have employed their hands to shape their distinctive contours from an unremarkable piece of wood. Stories from the past and stories from the present – inextricably linked through handwork. LIVING CRAFTSMANSHIP
I
n our workshops we therefore not only maintain traditions, we preserve experience and hold to intangible values. For what is important is not that our figurines are made here, but how they are made. In our manufactory handwork has the highest status – this is something that has not changed since the very beginning. To this day we still mostly work in just the same way as the founders of Wendt & Kühn 106 years ago. The wood turner uses a chisel to shape the components out of wood. With sensitive fingers the gluers join the delicate individual components together to form graceful figurines. In the dipping shop, the raw figurines are given their first coat of primer, professionally dipped, turned and spun by people who have a precise feeling for just how much primer is needed for the subsequent coats of paint to cover well and for every colour to reveal its true beauty. The figurine is sanded many times between the coats of primer to smooth down the fibers in the
wood. Finally, the paint shop is where the full extent of our masterful handwork is revealed. Even the mixing of the paint is done by hand, not machine, as it has been for more than 100 years. You will not find the colours that Grete and Olly Wendt used to paint their figurines in any catalogue. You have to mix them yourself and keep comparing them with the original sample until the paint colour matches perfectly. A skill that is passed down from generation to generation. The final painting demonstrates our handwork at its very best – from the colour scheme of the clothes and accessories to their decoration with fine patterns and ornamentation, and finally on to the absolute high point – the painting of the face. Eyes, nose, cheeks, mouth – as with human beings, they each have their individual traits. Every figurine is slightly different, with their own personality – just like their creator. And this is what people all over the world find so fascinating about our products, they are all a little bit like ourselves. Unique, individual and with their own character. A N E X C E L L E N T C O L L A B O R AT I O N
W
hen the finest craftsmanship of Wendt & Kühn is combined with the sophistication of the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory, the result is something very special. What both manufactories have in common is masterly craftsmanship, uncompromising quality and a focus on their own extensive grand design legacies. A love of floral motifs is also deeply rooted in the history of both companies. Grete Wendt, founder of Wendt & Kühn, embraced the subject of flowers in her legendary range of Blossom Kinder. In the Porcelain Manufactory, the “Meissen Blumentafel” testifies to the great importance of flower painting. This historic document shows 36 different flowers depicted with great artistry and which serves as a template for today’s painters. Both manufactories are applying their skills to the marsh marigold, selected to mark the start of our collaboration. Using a fine paintbrush, the Meissen artists are painting it on an elegant porcelain dish with a gold rim. The challenge for the Grünhainichen artisans is to accurately
T H O U S A N D S O F PA I N T
remain a closely guarded secret at the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory. In this way, every shade of porcelain paint that has been passed down still remains true to the original. Thanks to the unique craftsmanship preserved to this day we can enjoy opulent compositions and delicate flowers like the marsh marigold. FORMULAS
translate the Meissen drawing into a figurine. A highly challenging task, as its form and colour ultimately have to do justice to the porcelain template. The result is a girl sitting on a mound with the delicate bloom of a marsh marigold. The flower is painted entirely with translucent paint. For the petals, the leaves and the mound of the meadow, several coats of the base colour are used to create different shades, thus creating brushstroke by brushstroke a natural three-dimensional look. Fine lines inside the petals and the delicate structure of the
leaves bring vitality to the composition, as does the soft movement of the wafer-thin leaves. The girl in her light spring dress rests contentedly on the grass mound, enchanting us as she plays a soft tune on her trumpet. A delicate, highly-detailed composition presented alongside a fine porcelain dish bearing the same floral motif. C O M PA N I O N S F O R L I F E
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bjects that have been lovingly and artistically produced by hand are something to treasure forever. They accompany their owners throughout their lives, becoming more and more valuable. In this way they provide a refreshing alternative to the global throwaway society in which everything appears to be exchangeable or replaceable at will. Values such as longevity, quality, tradition – all these are embodied in the figurines from Wendt & Kühn. Sustainability at its best, a word that is once again on everyone’s lips. Firmly rooted in more than 100 years of history, we are creating the future, developing with care our unique grand design legacy and forging new paths. Inspired by the wishes of our customers and the aesthetic beliefs of our founder Grete Wendt and her long-term fellow designer Olly Wendt, née Sommer. This is how an inheritance becomes a legacy. Every day anew. D E X T E R I T Y A N D PAT I E N C E are required for every task in the Grünhainichen workshops. In the gluing shop the individual turned components are assembled with the greatest care. You can already guess which figurine this is.
U N E S C O W O R L D H E R I TA G E S I T E
T H E O C TA G O N A L M I N E R S ’
PRESENTING A
T
cultural landscape
he landscape, its culture, economy, crafts and science have all been shaped by the region’s rich resources of silver, cobalt, iron, tin and uranium and the mining industry built on them. So it comes as no surprise that on the Saxony side alone some 400 artefacts survive today from more than 800 years of mining and guarantee a unique experience, embedded in a multifaceted wealth of culture and nature. This is what makes the Erzgebirge the most popular holiday region in the state of Saxony all year round. The attractive mining towns with their grand churches and historic town centers invite one to discover the history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. In their heyday they were centers of research and development, as well as art and culture. From here, silver, cobalt and tin were traded throughout Europe and indeed the world. The mining towns attracted scholars and artists alike. Impressively, the magnificent churches still represent the wealth of the past and the close connection between mining and faith. Originally, the designation of “mining town” was a privilege bestowed by the ruler and carried with it particular rights and tax advantages.
C H U R C H I N S E I F F E N , based on the Frauenkirche in Dresden, is the town’s most famous landmark.
Mines to visit, museums and exhibitions bring to life the history of the Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mining Region, including the “terra mineralia” exhibition in the historic setting of Freudenstein Castle in Freiberg. More than 3,500 examples of minerals, gemstones and meteorites from five continents make this collection arguably the most beautiful and comprehensive in the world. Its permanent exhibition attracts discoverers, mineral collectors, scientists and cultural tourists as well as those on city breaks. In addition to the former mining sites, it is above all the unique evidence of living traditions that attracts visitors to the region. As in the spa town of Seiffen, for example, affectionately known as the “toy village”. Here many of the wooden toy makers have demonstration workshops that offer highly interesting insights into the craft. A visit to the Erzgebirge Toy Museum promises a journey into the childhood of previous generations. And whoever accepts the enticing invitation from the Wendt & Kühn Blossom Kinder and Grünhainichen Angels® will find themselves welcomed into the “World of Figures”, also known as the “Green House”.
A G L I M P S E into the American hall of the “terra mineralia” in Freiberg reveals the exhibition’s concept of a “mineralogical world tour” displayed over 1,500 square meters.
Nature lovers rave about memorable experiences along the numerous hiking trails in the Erzgebirge. The Kammweg (Erzgebirge-Vogtland Ridge Trail) meanders through beautiful undulating landscapes with breath-taking views, past the famous church in Seiffen and on to Olbernhau, the “town of seven valleys”. One section of it takes you to Saigerhütte Grünthal, an historic and uniquely preserved metallurgical works dating from 1537. Some of the most famous rooftops in Europe have their origin here. The roofs of both the Hofburg in Vienna and the cathedral in Berlin are covered in Grünthal copper. The complex houses more than 20 historic buildings, used today as museums, hotels and leisure facilities, and forms an official part of the Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mining Region UNESCO World Heritage Site. Close to Grünhainichen, the headquarters of Wendt & Kühn, stands another important monument of this mining region, visible from miles around: Schloss Augustusburg. The castle was built by Elector Augustus in 1568, and financed by silver from the Erzgebirge. Mining expertise made it possible for a 130-meter well to be sunk through the hard rock of the Schellenberg mountain. Its regular special exhibitions and legendary motorcycle museum have ensured that the castle’s fame has spread far beyond the borders of Germany.
UNESCO WORLD H E R I TA G E S I T E S The title of World Heritage Site is awarded to unique witnesses to the history of mankind and nature. Included in the list are historic buildings, urban settlements, industrial monuments and cultural landscapes as well as geological sites, natural landscapes and protected reserves. The UNESCO World Heritage list currently comprises 1,121 sites in 167 countries. A N O V E R V I E W of UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be found by visiting www.whc.unesco.org
on the Erzgebirge/ Krušnohoří Mining Region UNESCO World Heritage Site, please visit www.montanregion-erzgebirge.de F O R F U R T H E R I N F O R M AT I O N
A “CURIOSITY” FROM THE C O L L E C T I O N : The 30-centimeterhigh Miner designed by Grete Wendt before she founded Wendt & Kühn.
LIVING TRADITION
| Pa r t 1 0
When dreams come true When Kimberly Weiss from Maryland/USA speaks about her niece Taylor, you immediately feel the special bond that connects the two women. They are not only united by their family relationship, they also share a love of the figurines and music boxes from Wendt & Kühn.
D
espite their age difference of 31 years, Kimberly and Taylor have become good friends. At a very young age, Taylor discovered the joy of choosing a special gift for an equally special person. Her aunt Kimberly also experiences this great joy when she is looking for a present for Taylor to mark a special occasion. For many years she has chosen figurines from Wendt & Kühn. Her family originally came from Germany.
Taylor’s treasures include a very old example of the Moon Family that Kimberly herself was given by her aunt, who was born and grew up in Germany, and which she in turn passed on to her niece Taylor. However, there was always one particular piece that Taylor talked about and which she longed to add to her collection: The “Christmas Procession” music box, designed between 1932 and 1935. Taylor had long been fascinated by this piece, which features a heavily laden Santa Claus together with his hard-working little angels revolving around three pine trees. In 2020 the two women planned to travel to Germany to celebrate Christmas together. But the global pandemic shattered their dreams. In order to still be able to give her niece the music box in this exceptional year, Kimberly turned to a retailer in the USA that stocks the Wendt & Kühn collection and they immediately ordered this very special piece from the traditional manufactory. She also asked for the music box to be personalised. The personalised inscription with wishes for a magical Christmas was painted on the underside of the music box in beautiful lettering by one of the manufactory’s painters. When Christmas Day arrived, Kimberly presented the very special gift to her niece. Taylor could not believe her eyes when she lifted the music box out of its wrapping. Overcome by her niece’s emotion, Kimberly too was moved to tears. They were tears of joy at seeing Taylor so happy. When Taylor returned to her apartment after Christmas she still could not believe that she could now call the music box her own. This Christmas present was not Taylor’s last Wendt & Kühn gift – for Easter 2021 she received the “Boy with Egg on Pole” from her aunt. May many more wishes come true for these two!
A LONG-CHERISHED DREAM C O M E S T R U E : Taylor with her “Christmas Procession” music box
S U S TA I N A B L E
P R E S E RV I N G T H E PAS T – SHAPING THE FUTURE Working sustainably and treating the earth’s resources with respect is now worldwide more than just an urgent appeal. We, too, have a responsibility, as the most important raw material used in the production of our globally recognized and much-loved products is wood. Every year the manufactory sources around 70 cubic meters. So here in Grünhainichen we are constantly asking ourselves the question: Are we working sustainably? Judge for yourself! S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y B E G I N S W I T H T H E P U R C H A S E O F M AT E R I A L S
The timber used at Wendt & Kühn comes from local sawmills that supply us with native woods such as maple, beech, spruce and lime. This collaboration has the advantage that the raw material does not have to be transported far. It also means we have already reduced emissions such as CO2 before we have even started the production process. U S I N G S H AV I N G S F O R H E AT I N G
The choice of timber and how we process it is coordinated in such a way that very little wood waste is produced. Small pieces of wood created during the production process are first used to make individual components. We even have a use for the shavings that fall to the ground during turning: They are used to generate heat. When we constructed new workshops for the gluing, turning and paint shops in 1995, we included an efficient waste-to-energy-plant. Whereas in the past the wood waste had to be fed manually into the plant, today the feed is carried out automatically, direct from many workstations. The heat supply to the production facilities is thus almost completely covered by this waste-to-energy-plant. BEFORE THE JOURNEY
Wendt & Kühn’s commitment to sustainability does not end with production. The figurines must be well wrapped and securely packaged before they are shipped and this can lead to a lot of packaging waste, especially in the shipping department. For this reason we use recycled and biodegradable materials. In this way we succeeded in 2020 in preventing the felling of 115 trees.
G R A S S E S A N D M E A D O W F L O W E R S on the site of the Wendt & Kühn manufactory with the workshops buildings in the background
SHAPING THE FUTURE
In order to continue to bring our angels and Blossom Kinder to life in the decades to come, we are inspiring young people to become the “wooden toy makers of tomorrow”. Every year talented young men and women start their three-year apprenticeship with us in order to make a future career for themselves in one of the departments in our workshops. This enables us to pass down our skills and craftsmanship from generation to generation and to continue to bring people joy with our handwork.
P R E S E R V I N G T H E PA S T
Objects can be replaced, non-material values cannot. Rather, their preservation enriches our lives. Armed with this knowledge we feel obliged to implement it. With our repair service we are contributing to the preservation of all the figurines and works of art that have been crafted by hand in our manufactory over the past 105 years. Our experienced employees restore every decorative piece regardless of whether it is five or 90 years old. When you decide to get a figurine repaired instead of replacing it with a new one, you are not only helping to save raw materials, you are also preserving very personal memories of moments in your life that will never recur again.
GREEN IDEAS
Tradition has it that Grete Wendt loved to stroll through the lovingly laid out gardens – including those on manufactory site. Here she found inspiration and peace. To this day the “green grove” on which the workshop buildings stand still lives up to its name. Recently, however, we have made a change: Instead of keeping the lawn on our company premises short, we have selected certain areas where grasses and meadow flowers can grow wild. This provides insects with the food they need, which is becoming increasingly difficult to find in sufficient quantity.
L E AV I N G T H E C O L L E C T I O N AT T H E E N D O F T H E Y E A R
Farewell
| 2021
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 still available.
BUNNY MUSICIAN WITH DOUBLE FLUTE
BUNNY MUSICIAN WITH SAXOPHONE
BUNNY MUSICIAN WITH H E A D L E S S TA M B O U R I N E
5350/24
5350/54
5350/57
MARGUERITE ANGEL, SITTING, WITH ANGEL 28
634/70/13
MARGUERITE ANGEL, SITTING, WITH NEEDLE AND T E D DY B E A R
MARGUERITE ANGEL, SITTING, WITH TRAIN
634/70/15
D E C O R AT I V E A R T I C L E S , 6 - P I E C E S E T
Dekoset1
ANGEL, SMALL, WITH SMALL TRUMPET
GIRL WITH ROUND LANTERN, DOTTED
B OY W I T H L O N G LANTERN, STRIPED
6228/N/3
6228/N/4
ANGEL, SMALL, WITH GIFTS
ANGEL, SMALL, WITH LITTLE TREE
650/k/151a
650/k/B
650/k/3a
634/70/14
CANDELABRA, HANGING, GREEN
CANDELABRA, HANGING, RED
CANDELABRA, S TA N D I N G , G R E E N
CANDELABRA, S TA N D I N G , R E D
ANGEL, LARGE, WITH ANGEL M O U N TA I N A N D 1 2 A N G E L S
450/Hgruen
450/Hrot
450/Sgruen
450/Srot
650/550B
SPLINTER BOX WITH FLAME DESIGN, O VA L
SPLINTER BOX WITH YELLOW BLOSSOMS, O VA L
SPLINTER BOX WITH FLORAL PAT T E R N , B L U E , SMALL, ROUND
SPLINTER BOX WITH FLORAL P AT T E R N , R E D , SMALL, ROUND
SPLINTER BOX WITH CROSS P AT T E R N , ROUND
SPLINTER BOX WITH FLORAL P AT T E R N , B L U E , LARGE, ROUND
SPLINTER BOX
60/1
61/1
67/5b
67/5r
67/9
67/15b
67/15r
WITH FLORAL P AT T E R N , R E D , LARGE, ROUND
I M P R I N T e l e v e n d o t p o s t · 1 5 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, S e p t e m b e r 2 0 2 1 Publisher: Wendt & Kühn KG, Chemnitzer Straße 40, 09579 Grünhainichen, Germany, Telephone +49 37294 86 286, info@wendt-kuehn.de, www.wendt-kuehn.com Chief Editors, legally responsible for content: Claudia Baer, Thomas Rost, Wendt & Kühn · Editors: Anja Broschinski, Marlis Rokitta, Sophie Lässig, Lena Sabotta, Thomas Rost, Wendt & Kühn; Dr. Sylva Sternkopf (14-17) · Design: schech.net | Strategie. Kommunikation. Design. · Translation: Dr. Sternkopf media group · Photography: Lucie Eisenmann (cover, 4, postcard), Mirko Hertel (2, 14), Juliane Mostertz (3, 21), Wendt & Kühn (3, 6-11,13, 19, 22), Archive Wendt & Kühn KG (5, 12, 13), Sabrina Rothe (5, 17), Thomas Harbig (16), Meissen Porcelain Manufactory (17), Adobe Stock/Aquarius (18), Wolfgang Thieme (19), Katja Fouad Vollmer (19), private (20), Marcus Heilscher (23), brennerdesign (postcard) · Printed by: Druckerei Gutermuth, Grünhainichen, Germany
W W W.W E N DT-K U E H N.CO M WENDTUNDKUEHN