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
2015
100 9 TH E D I T I O N
D E A R F R I E N D S O F T H E C O M PA N Y,
SELECTED CONTENT
4 A star at your side Gift idea
5 Once around the world Design Exhibition “Handmade in Germany”
P for Packaging Grünhainichen Lexicon
6 The art of spreading joy. For 100 years. 100 years of Wendt & Kühn
8 An exceptional anniversary collection 2015 collection additions
16 A captivating triad Cover story
19 The art of mechanical music Reuge factory
20 My favorite piece and me Pictures and stories to mark our 100th birthday
23 Personal messages My Wendt & Kühn
24 Farewell Leaving the collection at year’s end
26 A world to experience The new World of Wendt & Kühn
Experiencing fine handcrafting Open house days 2015
I am sure you will agree that a 100th birthday is a very special occasion, and those able to experience it are very fortunate indeed. On October 1, 2015 we had the great joy of being able to look back at one hundred years of Wendt & Kühn. Ever since our family company was founded by Grete Wendt und Grete Kühn, both graduates of the Royal Saxon Academy of Applied Art in Dresden, we have met our own expectations in terms of quality and artistic craftsmanship, and remained faithful to the designs they have handed down. Over three generations we have constantly been able to bring joy to many people around the world with our hand-crafted objects. In all those years, the greatest proof that we are getting things right has come from you. And in this centenary year in our company’s history, demand for our lovingly crafted figurines and music boxes, curiosities and collector’s items remains unbroken. And so I, and I speak on behalf of the company’s 180 employees too, would like to take this opportunity to convey our thanks to you – the buyers and admirers of our collection. Guaranteed to bring you particular pleasure is this year’s collection with its special anniversary items. Just in time to celebrate our birthday is an “Anniversary Angel” that will only be made this year. We are also really curious to see how you like our “White Timbre” Edition. This avant-garde group relies on the contrasts between form and color, and as solitary works of art allows the musicians to shine with a timeless beauty. A tribute to Grete Wendt – a modernist designer of her age. The violin player, the saxophonist and the Angel with Gong have been selected to premiere this new collection which is featured on page 15 of this magazine. If you should ever find yourself in Germany, you are warmly invited to pay a visit to our new World of Wendt & Kühn in the historic half-timbered house at our company headquarters in Grünhainichen, which opened just in time to mark our one hundredth birthday. Covering 270 square meters, it allows you to delve into the history of our company and our figurines. The historic Grand Sample Cabinet that had to be mothballed during the almost two-year construction period can once again be seen in all its glory. In a completely new interactive area you can follow the different stages of the manufacturing process and even have a go yourself. Discover more about this on page 26. For now I hope you enjoy reading this birthday edition of the eleven dot post.
Claudia Baer, née Wendt
GIFT IDEA
A star at your side Shooting stars are seen as harbingers of good luck. Tradition has it that you get a wish if you see one shooting across the night sky, but your wish will only come true if you do not tell anyone what you have wished for. Here at Wendt & Kühn we have simplified this for you. For those of you who wish to give a very personal star as a gift we have the perfect ambassador – our Marguerite Angel with Star.
T
here are too many stars to count, just like wishes. And often we want to give someone we love one of these wishes to take with them. Perhaps to cheer them up, to bring them a little joy or just to let them know that we are thinking of them. Fortunately our small star-carrying angel is more than happy to deliver any message that comes straight from the heart. Whether as stars of love, stars of hope or stars of wisdom – stars provide fixed points in our lives, they keep us grounded and show us the way. And to tell the truth, who doesn’t want a companion to
remind us of those wonderful shared moments? A guardian angel who watches over our dreams from the nightstand or radiates confidence and optimism from the dresser. Who is there at every milestone in our lives: passing an exam, moving to a strange city or starting a new job. It is often the small things in life that touch people’s hearts and bring great joy. At just four centimeters (1.6 inches) high, our small Marguerite Angel is perfect proof that this is the case. Regardless of the role it has assumed, our angel captures all hearts with its sweet-tempered smile.
DESIGN EXHIBITION “HANDMADE IN GERMANY”
ONCE AROUND THE WHOLE WORLD
F
or more than a year now, figurines from Wendt & Kühn have been traveling the world with the touring exhibition “Handmade in Germany”. Together with further products from other renowned manufacturers. All these companies manufacture high-quality products and design objects by hand in Germany. Following stops in St. Petersburg and Moscow, in June 2015 the exhibition moved on to the Up-Artsh-Museum in Shanghai. In addition to Blossom Kinder, Richly Painted Angels and music boxes, the exhibition also has on display the composition “Angel Mountain with Madonna” with which Grete Wendt went traveling in 1937, and which
won international awards at the Paris World Exhibition. While back then Grete Wendt displayed her designs on tables and shelves, this time designer Daniel Becker has chosen snow white pedestals on which to present the figurines and music boxes, and has surrounded the exhibits with lots of wood shavings. This forms a creative link to the raw material from which the figurines are created with masterful craftsmanship. For, once they have been painted in meticulous detail, it is hard to tell that they are actually made from wood. You can follow the adventures of our figurines on their grand journey on our website: www.wendt-kuehn.com
GRÜNHAINICHEN LEXICON
P FO R PAC K AG I N G
W
endt & Kühn figurines are dispatched from Grünhainichen to retailers all over the world. To ensure that they arrive undamaged in shops in Hamburg and far away Tokyo, staff in our packing department carefully wrap them in soft tissue paper and then place them in a protective box. The boxes are designed not only to protect the contents from any rough handling on their journey, but also to make the recipient curious about what they will find inside, to provide suitable storage and to serve as an attractive gift box. So we have developed a cardboard box that meets all these requirements. From this year onwards, all items that are individually packed in our workshops, such as music boxes, Richly Painted Angels, Knitting Ladies, Madonnas and Birthday Numbers, will be packed in a new high-quality cardboard box. The top of the green box will be secured by two silk ribbons that are simply wound around two buttons embellished with the Wendt & Kühn trademark. A resealable ornamental box – just as precious as its contents.
To summarize 100 years of company history on a double page spread is difficult – if not impossible, so wide and varied are the events that have characterized our first century. We will nevertheless give it our best shot and highlight selected events from Wendt & Kühn’s turbulent past and our very exciting present.
1915
1920
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
FROM RIGA TO GRÜNHAINICHEN
On 1 October, after successfully completing their studies at the Royal Saxon Academy of Applied Art in Dresden, Grete Wendt and Grete Kühn founded today’s Wendt & Kühn workshops in Grünhainichen. In 1913, Grete Wendt wins a prize for her Berry Pickers in a design competition. The response is overwhelming and gives her the impetus to start the company two years later.
In 1920, Grete Kühn marries and leaves the company. In that same year Olly Sommer, born in Riga and also a graduate of the Royal Saxon Academy of Applied Art in Dresden, crosses Grete Wendt’s path. She falls in love with Grete’s brother Johannes and then spends the rest of her life in Grünhainichen. Her figurines complement and enrich the company’s range.
The art of spreading joy.
1940
1954
1972
T H E WA R Y E A R S
THE LONG VIEW
V E B W E R K- K U N S T
The 25th anniversary is overshadowed by the Second World War. Grete’s brother Johannes manages to avoid being directly involved in the manufacture of armaments. In order to keep going, the workshops produce models for officer training schools. Four months after the end of the war, Johannes is deported to the Soviet Union and never returns.
Aged 15, Hans, the son of Olly and Johannes Wendt, flees the threat of Soviet imprisonment and takes refuge in the Allgäu. Following an apprenticeship and a degree he returns in 1954 as production engineer. For more than forty years he runs the manufactory with great business acumen and vision, throughout the socialist era and on into German reunification.
In April 1972, Wendt & Kühn is forcibly nationalized and renamed “VEB Werk-Kunst” (VEB meaning state-owned company). The company trademark is also changed, although the initials “W” and “K” are retained. Hans Wendt is appointed Works Director. He manages to maintain quality in production and to get round the mass production stipulated by the command economy.
1923
1929
1937
BIRTH OF A DESIGN CLASSIC
GAIETY AND NAÏVETÉ
G O L D I N PA R I S
In 1923, the first Angel Musicians are brought into being. Their trademark, known throughout the world, is eleven white dots on each of their green wings. Grete Wendt breaks new creative ground, for example in the way she cuts the limbs at an angle and then reassembles them, so giving her creations both movement and dynamism.
No other product group embodies Grete Wendt’s message as clearly as the Blossom Kinder: naïveté, kindheartedness and the joy of a carefree childhood. The first Blossom Kinder appear in 1929. Marguerites are Grete’s favorite flowers – so the Girl with Marguerite is number one in the catalogue.
Grete Wendt’s creative talent receives particular recognition with the awards conferred on her at the 1937 Paris World Exhibition. She receives the Grand Prix and a gold medal for her composition “Angel Mountain with Madonna”. This unleashes a world-wide enthusiasm for her angels that remains undiminished to this day.
For one hundred years.
1990
2003
2015
NEW BEGINNINGS
250 SQUARE METERS OF MAGIC
A C E N T U RY O F D E L I G H T
On 1 July 1990, the company is returned to family ownership. Following re-privatization it reverts to its original name “Wendt & Kühn”. Finally it can undertake urgently needed investment following decades of economic neglect. Buildings are restored and state-of-the-art wood working technology is introduced.
In 2003, the Wendt & Kühn World of Figures opens in Seiffen, Germany. Since then, more than one million people have visited the shop, in which the figurines and music boxes are displayed in highly detailed scenes. The upper gallery gives visitors an insight into the eventful history of the workshops. The main attraction in this spacious building is an almost two-meter-high music box.
For one hundred years Wendt & Kühn has stood for premium quality and artistic integrity. Today Claudia Baer, née Wendt, and Dr. Florian Wendt are the third generation to carry on what was initiated with great courage and creativity by their great aunt, and then continued by their father. And it is this that we wish to celebrate with the opening of the World of Wendt & Kühn in Grünhainichen. Since January 2015, Grete Wendt has also had a street in Grünhainichen named after her.
2015 COLLECTION ADDITIONS
An exceptional anniversary collection A century of Wendt & Kühn – this, dear friends of the company, is what we want to celebrate with you. With limited editions, historic groups of figurines and proud birthday guests.
BUNNY MUSICIAN WITH
BUNNY MUSICIAN
BUNNY MUSICIAN
SONGBOOK AND SMALL
WITH TRUMPET
WITH CHIMES
C H E R RY B LO S S O M
TRUMPET
5350/36
5350/58
5248/21
GIRL WITH
5350/19
THE BUNNY ORCHESTRA IS
SEA OF BLOSSOM
NOW COMPLETE
Every spring the cherry blossom enchants us with its beauty. In faraway Japan, it represents departure, tender feminine beauty and the fragility of life. Families and friends come together to celebrate this sea of pink and white.
This year the Bunny Orchestra has received some new recruits, the last ones for the time being. From now on, a total of 15 Bunny Musicians will be tuning up together. Their distinguishing feature is their flat arms and legs that Grete Wendt sketched in her designs for the bunnies in the 1920s. While this was the norm with many early wooden figurines, today it is seen as a design feature and it is what makes these long-eared musicians so unique.
But it is not only in the Far East that cherry blossom heralds the spring, in other parts of the world, too, it is a sign that this joyous season is on its way – from this year onwards accompanied by the Girl with Cherry Blossom. She holds it
proudly in her hands while her beautifully decorated dress blows in the warm spring breeze. The intricately crafted branch of blossom is modeled on nature itself and has been captured in every tiny detail. Use this as an inspiration to decorate this spring!
MASTERY OF THE ART OF SOUND
You can hear a preview of all three melodies at W W W.W E N D T- K U E H N . C O M
MUSIC BOX “COWSLIP”
5372/5A
52 colors, 72 notes and 332 individual parts – a unique composition of the finest craftsmanship from Wendt & Kühn. This is the Music Box “Cowslip”, some 24 centimeters (9.5 inches) high and 26 centimeters (10.2 inches) wide. At the heart of this music box lies once again a Swiss precision music works made by the renowned traditional manufacturer Reuge. A musical premiere: for the first time a 72-note music works plays three melodies in succession. To the sound of Mozart’s masterpieces “That sounds so wonderful” from “The Magic Flute”, the minuet from the third movement of “A Little Night Music” and the “Turkish March” from the “Piano Sonata No. 11”, carefree children dance in perfect harmony around a mound topped with cowslips. It is a design by Grete Wendt from 1953 and over the next two years a maximum of 500 of these music boxes will be made. The Music Box “Cowslip” – an exceptional piece and one worthy of our 100th anniversary! Every one of these limited edition music boxes has already been pre-ordered through our dealers.
LANTERN PARADE
“I’m walking with my lantern, my lantern walks with me. Above the stars are shining, below are shining we.” This traditional German song is probably what the Lantern Children are singing as they parade with their brightly colored lanterns at dusk. They have made their lanterns themselves – the girl has decorated hers with bright-colored dots, the boy has painted his with colorful stripes. Now they are trying to outshine the stars. Grete Wendt designed a small group of six Lantern Children in the 1930s. With this cheerful pair the lively children’s parade is now complete.
B OY W I T H L O N G LANTERN, STRIPED
6228/N/4
GIRL WITH ROUND LANTERN, DOTTED
6228/N/3
C H R I S T M A S P R E P A R AT I O N S
We know them as Santa’s hardworking little helpers: the Marguerite Angels from Wendt & Kühn. And this year too, they are starting early with their preparations for this major festival. And so they test whether the nutcracker can crack the hard shell of the nut, whether the hobby horse gallops well and whether the glass of the Christmas bauble is shining brightly. Only then are they happy and able to devote themselves to the next wish.
MARGUERITE ANGEL, NUTCRACKER AND NUT
MARGUERITE ANGEL, SITTING, WITH H O B BY- H O R S E
MARGUERITE ANGEL, SITTING, WITH ORNAMENTS
634/70/32
634/70/31
634/70/33
SITTING, WITH
G o l d E d i t i o n N o– 8
L i m i t e d G o l d E d i t i o n N o– 8
A N G E L W I T H S H AW M
TREASURER,
TREASURER, ANGEL WITH KEY
650/75
A N G E L W I T H K E Y, 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
650/121
IN A SPLINTER BOX (22,222 PIECES)
650/121/LE
THE TREASURER
The Treasurer was chosen for the long and eagerly anticipated Gold Edition No– 8. In its hand it holds a delicate key, plated with 24-karat gold. It unlocks hearts and doors that we believed were closed. And guards what is precious to us. Every Trea surer is unique and will delight enthusi-
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.
NEW ORCHESTRAL NOTES
asts and collectors of this precious series with its beautiful finish and highly skilled craftsmanship. A special limited edition Treasurer is available with a gold-plated metal base. Only 22,222 of these precious figurines will be manufactured worldwide. You can identify yours by the serial number printed on the underside of your Treasurer, in the accompanying leaflet and on the splinter box provided to store in style your Trea surer with its gold-plated base. An exceptional edition for all those who love special things and appreciate objects of value.
This year the Angel with Shawm has swelled the ranks of the large orchestra of world famous Angel Musicians. The sound of its wind instrument is somewhat loud and nasal, especially in the lower registers. In addition to its role as a musician, the shawm player has also been chosen to answer the question of how the Wendt & Kühn Angel Musicians came to get their legendary eleven white dots – a story told in a lovingly designed book, which you can find out more about on page 13 of this magazine.
CHRISTMAS TREE ANGEL IN RING, WITH CLARINET
6308/41
LITTLE SUSPENDED ANGEL, WITH GINGERBREAD HEART
6307/150
2015 A N N I V E R SA RY A N G E L
ANGEL WITH TRIANGLE,
ANGEL WITH FRENCH HORN,
WITH ARCH CANDELABRA
ON COMET
SUSPENDED
ANGEL WITH SAXOPHONE, ON CLIP
650/100
650/70/16
650/130/17
650/90/54
B I R T H D AY G U E S T
SHOWPIECES
Wendt & Kühn’s 100th birthday would not be the same without an anniversary figurine. Proudly, the Eleven Dot Angel on its gold-colored base bears its candelabra arch with candles and announces that there is something to celebrate. It continues the tradition that company anniversaries are always accompanied by a birthday messenger. The special feature of this Anniversary Angel is that it will be manufactured exclusively in 2015.
The Christmas tree angels from Wendt & Kühn are a complete delight, and this year’s angels will make your tree even more beautiful. With heavenly grace they float down to bring celestial touches to your festively trimmed spruce. With their green wings matching the color of the tree, the Grünhainichen Angels® with triangle, French horn and saxophone settle themselves down on the branches. And here variety is the spice of life: with one
sitting on a yellow comet, another suspended on a golden thread and the third attached to a practical clip, you can trim your tree however you like, and in style. The Christmas tree angels are supported by their friends, the little Marguerite Angels, who with their gingerbread heart and clarinet swell the number of angels on the Christmas tree.
B R I N G E R S O F J OY
ANGEL, SMALL,
ANGEL, SMALL,
WITH BOUQUET
WITH CAKE
ANGEL, SMALL, WITH BELL AND CANDLE
6 5 0 / k / St
650/k/154a
650/k/53a
Small but beautiful are the angels on yellow benches who bring greetings with their lovingly chosen accessories. Holding a home-made cake, a small bunch of flowers or a bell and candle, these small angelic messengers make a tasteful gift for any number of occasions. At just four centimeters (1.6 inches) high, they make imaginative decorations at any time of year – together with their “big” siblings, the Grünhainichen Angels®.
Limited Anniversar y Edition A N G E L- D R AW N C A R T W I T H G I F T S A N D T W O S I LV E R M E D A L S ( 4 , 0 0 0 P I E C E S )
5322/6/LE
ANNIVERSARY CART
2016 CALENDAR, COMPLETE
We have taken a historic design, first produced in 1939 as a commission for the former “Chemnitz Brotunion”, and adapted it for this special anniversary year. Only 4,000 of these Angel-drawn Carts laden with a splinter box, apple, gifts, flowers, cake and much more have been manufactured. Each unique piece is numbered on the base and accompanied by a certificate that tells you which one you own.
The panniers on the side of the cart contain two medals (not legal tender), struck in 999 silver at the State Mint of BadenWürttemberg, Germany. Every one of these limited edition Angel-drawn Carts has already been pre-ordered through our dealers. They are gradually being dispatched, and by the end of the year all 4,000 of the Angel-drawn Carts will have been delivered.
2016
YO U R CO M PA N I O N
T A B L E D E C O R AT I O N S
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
A bright and colorful image adorns this year’s Wendt & Kühn candle and matching paper napkins – a perfect duo to add that tasteful touch to your table. An elegant goose wearing a sunny yellow bonnet leads angels, a Blossom Boy and a small bird to bring you their best wishes for many happy occasions.
Be entertained by Wendt & Kühn throughout the year. With atmospheric images and lively texts (in German), the 2016 calendar accompanies all friends of the manufactory through twelve months of angelic happiness and children’s laughter. Cheerful and colorful, the images express the carefree joie de vivre that has dwelt within each of the figurines from the Grünhainichen workshops for 100 years. The pages of the calendar are available on their own, or with a green frame that can be reused every year. The whole thing is crowned by this year’s calendar figurine. For 2016 it is the small Angel with Apple Bowl that graces the set. This heavenly messenger is available on its own or as part of the calendar set.
PA P E R N A P K I N S
CANDLE
“ B I R T H D AY P R O C E S S I O N ”
“ B I R T H D AY P R O C E S S I O N ”
526/22/GZ
WK/GZ Not available in the USA
BOOK PREMIERE
The question of how the Grünhainichen Angels® came to have their distinctive eleven white dots is the subject of an imaginative book. Beautifully illustrated, the 32-page book explains the number of tests the small shawm player must pass in order to earn its eleven dots. It is a story that tells of adventures and friendship. And the wish to make dreams come true. For reading aloud, reading to yourself and reading together. For Wendt & Kühn fans, both young and old, from five to 99. The book will be available exclusively from your Wendt & Kühn dealer. This year it will be published in German, but from autumn 2016 the book will also be available in English.
B E R RY P I C K E R B OY
B E R RY P I C K E R G I R L
B E R RY P I C K E R C H I L D
537/1
537/2
537/3
AWA R D W I N N E R S
With the Berry Pickers, a group of figurines is returning to the collection that provided the inspiration and catalyst for the start of all the entrepreneurial creativity in our manufactory. In 1913, Grete Wendt entered a competition to create “tasteful souvenirs”. With great success – her Berry Pickers took second prize. Af-
ter the prize-winning group of figurines had appeared in numerous magazines, she received many “urgent orders”, and these finally gave her the impetus to devote herself fully to the design of wooden miniatures and, two years later, to found the Wendt & Kühn workshops.
BOOK “HOW THE ANGEL GOT I T S E L E V E N D O T S ”, H A R D C O V E R , 32 PAG E S (I N G E R M A N L A N G UAG E)
EB2015
13
SPLINTER BOX WITH FLAME DESIGN,
S P L I N T E R B O X W I T H F L O R A L PAT T E R N ,
O VA L , L E N G T H 2 5 C M ( 1 0 ” )
B L U E , S M A L L , R O U N D , Ø 1 7. 6 C M ( 7 ” )
60/1
67/5b
S P L I N T E R B O X W I T H F L O R A L P AT T E R N , R E D , S M A L L , R O U N D , Ø 1 7. 6 C M ( 7 ” )
67/5r
SPLINTER BOX WITH YELLOW BLOSSOMS, O VA L , L E N G T H 2 5 C M ( 1 0 ” )
61/1
COLLECTOR’S ITEMS
In May, 100 years after the founding of our company, we revived an almost forgotten product line: our splinter boxes. While Grete Wendt focused almost exclusively on the creation of figurines, her student friend Grete Kühn used her talent to paint and decorate wooden chests and boxes. With her distinctive brushwork and rich imagination, she turned wooden containers into aesthetic works of art of enduring value. Exclusive oneoff items that can be used for storing personal treasures or simply as eye-catching decorative pieces. Made for people with very special taste when it comes to their own personal living space.
S P L I N T E R B O X W I T H F L O R A L PAT T E R N ,
S P L I N T E R B O X W I T H C R O S S P AT T E R N ,
BLUE, LARGE, ROUND, Ø 51 CM (20”)
ROUND, Ø 28.6 CM (11.25”)
S P L I N T E R B O X W I T H F L O R A L P AT T E R N , RED, LARGE, ROUND, Ø 51 CM (20”)
67/15b
67/9
67/15r
“WHITE TIMBRE” EDITION
T
he puristic “White Timbre” Edition from the traditional workshops of Wendt & Kühn is a tribute to the founder of the company Grete Wendt, and turns her designs into a living legacy. Perfectly formed, the brilliant white figurines reach up from their black pedestals of different heights with the grain of the wood clearly visible. The logo of the manufactory, a weather-beaten fir tree over the initials “W.u.K.”, is immortalized on a plaque fixed to the bottom of the pedestal. The interplay of contrasts gives the musicians a timeless appeal and turns them into a work of art of understated elegance. Perfect displayed on their own, as a duo or even as a trio, they combine artistic integrity and the contemporary with a focus on the bare essentials. Each figurine is an attractive ornament in its own right, independent of seasonal arrangements and themed decorations. The whole year round. Available since May 2015, the “White Timbre” Edition attracts those with a sense of design and leaves room for their own individual thoughts and interpretations.
Grete Wendt, a modernist designer of her time, continued always to be open to new ideas in all aspects of her creative process – in terms of design and hand-crafting techniques, as well as the materials used.
650/200/2 ANGEL WITH VIOLIN, O N L A R G E P E D E S TA L
650/200/54 ANGEL WITH SAXOPHONE, O N S M A L L P E D E S TA L
650/200/71 ANGEL WITH GONG, O N M E D I U M P E D E S TA L
C O V E R S T O RY
A captivating
triad
O F M O T I F, MOVEMENT AND M E L O DY
This is the sound of the world of Wendt & Kühn: lively and moving, with a hint of nostalgia, where the charm of the mechanical and masterly craftsmanship come together in perfect harmony. A journey through the history and present of Wendt & Kühn music boxes.
W
ith rapt attention they dance in a circle under the beaded arch: two joyful dancers moving rhythmically in time to Tchaikovsky’s “Waltz of the Flowers”. The clear, polyphonic sound of the Swiss music works casts a spell over the listener, as do the artistic figurines that lend the music box its timeless charm. Music boxes from the workshops of Wendt & Kühn in Grünhainichen are true masterpieces. Created by craftsmen and finished with love and attention, they are based on historic designs that have had new life breathed into them, while staying true to the original. By people like Heiko Martin, who for the past 18 years has spent every day painstakingly assembling Wendt & Kühn music boxes from a myriad of individual parts. “It is a wonderful job that requires the utmost precision,” he says, as with a practiced hand he winds the turntable down the thread until it makes a level platform for the figurines. “After all the figurines need to turn smoothly for decades to come.” While he is installing the music works, he listens to its sound for the very first time. This is a quality control system that accepts only the best, thanks to his experienced ear. The most exciting moment for Heiko Martin is when
the box and the music works come together in perfect harmony. “Then I wind the music box up once more, listen carefully to the music and watch the movement of the figurines,” he says with a smile. “It is something I have experienced so often, but that is endlessly fascinating.” This moment will be repeated hundreds of times in the future. Each time a gentle child’s hand or the cautious finger of an adult carefully turns the small brass ring to set in motion the music works hidden inside, a moment of pure magic is unleashed. Is it the sound of the music that turns our expression into one of childlike rapture? In a time when we can listen to any tune in Dolby surround sound at home, the mechanical sound of a music box appears almost nostalgic. And here it has something in common with the enjoyment connoisseurs associate with listening to old vinyl records. Conscious listening, the energizing art of relaxation. It is the enjoyment of things past, accompanied by the metallic sound of the melody and the movement of the ornate figurines that reflect its authenticity and great craftsmanship. Grete Wendt always considered the magic of music boxes to be something very special. The first music box she designed can still be found in our current catalogue, it is called “Christmas Tree” and bears the number 1. It was created in 1920 and was followed by many more. In the history of the company, the very first music boxes were fitted with a simple handle that the listeners had
O V E R T H E D E C A D E S music boxes have been made in a wide range of colors and shapes – cylinders, rectangular boxes and impressive spherical constructions, populated with small woolly white sheep wandering round the man in the moon, Grünhainichen Angels®, Spring Children or children in local costume.
N O W A S T H E N the utmost precision is required: When assembling the “Children’s Procession” music box, Heiko Martin is guided by the experience of his predecessors.
“A lot of space in our range is dedicated to our music boxes with figurines and music works. This means that we have a wealth of models and melodies, including Christmas music boxes with their beautiful old tunes.” GRETE WENDT
to wind themselves in order to coax the melody from the music works. Later, these hand-wound boxes were replaced with mechanical music works. Ever since, people have followed with fascination the artistic interplay of melody and moving figurines – from the wide-eyed child to Marlene Dietrich, who brought the magic of Grünhainichen music boxes to Hollywood in the classic film “Blonde Venus”. In the comedy “Hurrah! I’m a Papa”, German actor Heinz Rühmann rocks his child to sleep with a music box from Wendt & Kühn – just as many parents do today. And at Christmas, the Swedish royal family decorate their palace in Stockholm with musical masterpieces from Grünhainichen. “Grete Wendt was the director who arranged her figurines as if they were on stage,” explains Katrin Wojtkowiak, who looks after the treasury of Grünhainichen music boxes. “Each box provides a fitting backdrop for a moving scene – usually a dance, a hike, a round dance or a procession of children. The decoration of the box and the melody are both chosen to complement it. A charming triad of motif, melody and movement that captivates us to this day.” Selected species of timber and the special construction of the music box ensure that the full sound of the melody can be heard from within the wooden box. So the “Globe” of the music box with the same name is hollowed out with a swan neck hollowing tool. Using this long tool, the skillful hand of the
wood turner shaves out the wood inside one turn at a time, until the hemisphere is hollow. Fitted together with a second hemisphere it creates the perfect resonance chamber for the music works. The choice of timber is also crucial. Spruce is ideal – it is not for nothing that it is the timber of choice for making musical instruments. In square music boxes, too, the sounding board is made from spruce. “Spruce relays the vibrations of the music works clearly and brightly,” explains Roland Stanzel, timber expert and Master of the Wood Turning Shop. “It is important that the sound can spread out on all sides – that is why all our boxes have small feet or a stand so that the base can vibrate freely.” And we get good vibrations ourselves when the turntable of the music box slowly starts to move and the figurines begin to tell their story in time to the music – an infinite enchantment that never ends.
TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS 1
Always allow the melody to play until the end. Otherwise it is possible that the teeth of the comb will be left in a “raised position” and may warp.
2
Always store music boxes somewhere dry and at room temperature. This is not only good for the wood of the box and the figurines, but also for the metal parts of the music works.
3
Repairs should be carried out by an expert. If your music box stops working, please do not try to repair it yourself. Our restorers will make it play again.
REUGE
The secret behind the art of mechanical music Music works from the Reuge factory in the small village of Sainte-Croix are the unique legacy of Swiss music box craftsmen. In order to preserve this exceptional craft, Reuge has kept this tradition alive and now in its 150th year it still preserves the magic of mechanical music.
T
he long-term collaboration between Reuge and Wendt & Kühn has brought together German craftsmanship and Swiss precision in a very special way. The two companies not only share the fact that this year they are both celebrating major anniversaries, they are united above all by their impressive creativity and masterly quality. And by the emotions that are awakened when enchanting music and exceptional woodcraft touch people’s hearts. But how does the melody get into the music works? It can briefly be described as follows: Steel pins are set into the cylinder. When the cylinder rotates, its many pins lift the teeth of the comb and allow them to fall back down. This makes the teeth vibrate – the particular arrangement of the pins produces the melody. That is the practical part. Reuge knows very well the steps needed during the manufacturing process to produce a perfect sound. First the arranger, an expert musician, turns the many notes in the piece of music into a harmonious music box melody. Then minute holes are drilled into the cylinder – in precise locations stipulated by the arranger. Each hole is then fitted with a short piece of steel wire, as fine as a pin. With the help of a magnifying glass the craftsman checks whether all the pins are straight and that none is missing.
This has a crucial bearing on the sound as later it is these steel pins that set the teeth of the comb vibrating as the cylinder rotates. Now the comb, governor and spring housing are stamped out of steel or brass bands. A milling machine then cuts the teeth out of the steel band of the comb before it is hardened. To achieve an optimum richness of tone, it needs to be neither too hard nor too flexible. After this the comb has to be tuned – just like a piano. Here the craftsman tests the frequency of the vibrations and corrects them by filing down each individual tooth until the correct note is achieved. And finally the comb is secured in precisely the right place in relation to the cylinder. Now the music works is ready to embark on its journey to Grünhainichen. Combined with the skillful artistry of Wendt & Kühn music boxes, it becomes a delight for all the senses!
piece
My favorite
AND ME
We are always getting letters and emails from collectors all over the world. They tell us for example about their favorite figurines that have found their way into their hearts. As different as these favorite pieces are, they all have one thing in common: they touch hearts. To give you a taste of some of the wonderful correspondence we have received, we have put together this double-page spread of 100 photographs. On the next page you will find four stories, in which people tell us about themselves and their own favorite Wendt & Kühn piece.
piece
My favorite SINCE CHILDHOOD
F
or Christmas 1955 I was given this little elf carrying a draw-knife (left). I was seven years old at that time. I played with knights and building blocks, loved playing soccer and built cabins with friends in the nearby forest. The years went by. I left my parents’ home, I got married, we had two wonderful children and traveled the world. Then came the day that I had to take over the family home as my parents had died. While I was clearing out the attic I found this little elf once more. He was lying in a corner, covered in dust and slightly damaged. And that is now more than 25 years ago. I was so thrilled with this little dude who had survived all those years that I started to collect these wonderful handcrafted pieces. The small elf that my parents gave me 60 years ago, however, remains my absolute favorite. Thank you Wendt & Kühn … please continue to do what you do best: bringing joy to countless people throughout the world with your miniature works of art. Peter Voss from Göttingen, Germany
A FINAL MESSAGE OF LOVE
T
his messenger of love has a very special story behind it. My husband asked our children to buy it for him as, because of his age, he was no longer able to do it himself. In the summer of 2012, our children duly did this on his behalf. My husband planned to give me the angel for Christmas, but in October 2012 he died after a short but serious illness. We had been married for more than 50 years and his death hit me very hard. So I was even more surprised and delighted when for Christmas 2012 I found this messenger of love under the Christmas tree – a final message of love from my husband. Why he chose this particular angel I will never know, but for me this angel is my very favorite piece. Martha Simon from Ronshausen, Germany
AND ME
A N E XC E P T I O N A L T R E A S U R E
I
t all started with my Grandma, who at Easter would decorate the house with bunnies, and at Christmas time would bring out the music box with Angel Musicians she had inherited from her mother. I have loved them ever since I was tiny! This is probably the reason why these small figurines now “live” in our house too: Blossom Kinder, Grünhainichen Angels® complete with music box, and of course my personal favorites – the Moon Family. The Moon Family is a really special find. The figures are in excellent condition and they still have their oval logo. Mama found them and purchased them for me because I am a small lunar explorer. Every night I look at the moon in the sky and observe how it changes from day to day. Is it a “crescent moon” or a “full moon”? And now I have my very own moon at home, who watches over me together with his small family! It is simply beautiful – a really exceptional treasure. Joris Wösten from Bremen, Germany
F R O M G E N E R AT I O N TO G E N E R AT I O N
I
could tell you lots of stories that connect me to your figurines, but my absolute favorite piece is the “Hans Joachim Memorial Music Box” as it is lovingly known in our house. Back when where we lived was still the GDR, Uncle Achim, sadly now deceased, wanted to give his mother something really special. So from his first pay check he bought a blue music box in the form of a small house with a mother rocking her baby to sleep under the roof. This very personal gift gave my grandmother many years of happiness. Five years ago she turned 90 and moved into an old folks’ home. I was pregnant with her first great-grandchild at that time, so she decided that her precious music box should also go to a new home. So it moved to Kiel, to be with us. Today, the still wonderfully clear sound of “Brahms’ Lullaby” brings great pleasure not only to five-year-old Friederike, but also to two-year-old Paulinus and baby Benjamin. Anna Maria Bader from Kiel, Germany
Personal messages Throughout the year there are many occasions worthy of a special personalized gift: a baptism, a child’s first day at school, a wedding or a birthday.
Y
ou will already be aware of the selected Wendt & Kühn items that – inscribed with a personal message – bring great joy to these special moments. From this year onwards the kneeling Angel with Letter and Flowers will also be able to deliver messages straight from the heart. For what better way to say thank you or to invite someone to a special occasion than with a colorful bunch of flowers
and a letter? And inside a greeting or a short poem written by hand with great care and consideration, traditionally in ink on fine paper. This heavenly creature can also convey regrets or send a heartfelt wish. Whether the sentiment is small or big it will put a smile on the face of someone you love. The lettering of your personal inscription is beautifully handpainted in white paint on the base of the angel – with up to ten characters on the front and up to six characters on the back of the base. Consult your Wendt & Kühn specialist retailer. They will then forward your personalization request to us.
THESE ITEMS TOO
can be personally inscribed. Detailed information and the maximum number of characters for each item can be found at www.wendt-kuehn.com.
PLACECARD HOLDER
PLACECARD HOLDER
PLACECARD HOLDER
GOOSE
GANDER
GIRL WITH SUNFLOWER
GIRL WITH DAISY
B OY W I T H
5253/3
5253/4
5214/7
5214/10
C A R N AT I O N
5214/17
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
| 2015
FA R E W E L L The figurines shown on this double-page spread have been made this year for the last time. Thereafter, they will be welcomed into our historic Grand Sample Cabinet and remain there for at least five years.
BAKER GIRL
B A K E R B OY
T W O A N G E L S P E C TAT O R S
A N G E L S P E C TAT O R ,
WITH CAKE
WITH PRETZELS
ON BENCH, WITH BOOK
LARGE, ON BENCH
A N G E L S P E C TAT O R , SMALL, ON BENCH
641/N/4
5222/2
650/140/2z
650/140/3
650/140/4
I M P P R I N T e l e v e n d o t p o s t · 9 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, O c t o b e r 2 0 1 5 Publisher: Wendt & Kühn KG, Chemnitzer Straße 40, 09579 Grünhainichen, Germany · Telephone: +49 37294 86286, Telefax: +49 37294 86129, www.wendt-kuehn.com Chief Editors: Claudia Baer, Thomas Rost, Wendt & Kühn · Editor: Lena Tetzner, Wendt & Kühn · Design: schech.net | Strategie. Kommunikation. Design. · Translation: Sternkopf Communications Photography: S + M Rümmler (1, 2, 5, 7, 18, 27), Wolfgang Schmidt (7), Marcus Heilscher (4, 15), Direktorenhaus, Berlin (5), Daniel Becker Design Studio (5), Juliane Mostertz (7, 26), Sabrina Rothe (26), Wendt & Kühn (6, 7, 17, 18, 19), Angela Stuhrberg (3), Jörg Simanowski (16, 23), Reuge (17)
MARGUERITE ANGEL
MARGUERITE ANGEL
MARGUERITE ANGEL
MARGUERITE ANGEL
MARGUERITE ANGEL
MARGUERITE
W I T H T E D DY B E A R
WITH SHIP
WITH TRAIN
WITH BALL
WITH SMALL
ANGEL WITH
634/30N/1
634/30N/2
634/30N/3
634/30N/4
TRUMPET
BOOK
634/30N/5
634/30N/6
A N G E L W I T H C E R E M O N I A L T R U M P E T,
A N G E L W I T H C E R E M O N I A L T R U M P E T,
IN MOON, LARGE
I N S TA R , L A R G E
A N G E L W I T H C E R E M O N I A L T R U M P E T, O N C O M E T TA I L , L A R G E
771/15
772/15
773/15
5 -T I E R E D A N G E L M O U N TA I N C O R N E R U N I T C U L M I N AT I N G I N A L A R G E U P P E R P L AT F O R M
549/B5
S T. N I C H O L A S S M O K E R
C O M PA N Y C H R O N I C L E 2 0 1 0
5403/6
“UNSERE GESCHICHTE”
WITH 14 CANDLE HOLDERS
(IN GERMAN LANGUAGE)
550/B5 Not available in the USA
516/2010
5 -T I E R E D A N G E L M O U N TA I N ,
O P E N H O U S E D AY S
Experiencing fine handcrafting
W THE NEW WORLD OF WENDT & KÜHN
A world to experience and marvel at
O
ver the past eighteen months, the former shop at the Grünhaini chen workshops has been converted into the World of Wendt & Kühn. It opened on 3 October, just in time to mark the company’s 100th anniversary. Here you can experience the legend that is Wendt & Kühn – through encounters with its heritage, its lasting values and its traditional craftsmanship. Covering 270 square meters of space, extraordinary experiences await the visitor behind its venerable sandstone walls. The legendary Grand Sample Cabinet is once again in place and forms the heart of the historic area. For every figurine on display in the Cabinet, there is a short story about it in a large sample book. The way to the sales area – an attractive shop where the whole of the current range of products is displayed in style – takes you through a special exhibition that throws light on specific aspects of Wendt & Kühn and on periods in the company’s history. As the exhibition is changed on a regular basis, it gives visitors the incentive to come back again and again.
Curious fans of all ages can look forward to exciting, entertaining and challenging discoveries in the interactive area. They are invited to experience a refreshingly different journey through the individual departments of our workshops. At every stage, their manual dexterity, knowledge and sense of touch will be put to the test. At the end of the tour, you will be able to ask one of our painters any questions you may have as you watch her demonstrating her skill and craftsmanship. Personal service, one-to-one conversations and meetings with restorers, as well as advice on the possible personalization of figurines is the job of the service department. No-one can express better what has been created behind the facade of Wendt & Kühn’s historic half-timbered house in Grünhainichen than the Greek philosopher Aristotle himself: The whole is more than just the sum of its parts. Come and see for yourself! The World of Wendt & Kühn is open daily from 10am to 5pm.
elcome, come on in! This is an expression you will hear over and over again at the Wendt & Kühn Open House Days at our workshops in Grünhainichen, Germany. Thousands of visitors gladly seize this opportunity to get a glimpse behind the scenes. Visits during Open House Days are filled with wonder, the excitement of always discovering something new, and being able to talk shop with our master craftsmen. Whether in the turning, gluing, dipping or painting departments – visitors to Grünhainichen can see our world famous figurines being handcrafted right before their very eyes. And to round off the entire Open House experience, there is the chance to put your skill to the test in our Tinkerer’s Row, have one-to-one conversations and take photos in the beautifully decorated photo corner. We look forward to seeing you! Wendt & Kühn Grünhainichen workshops, Germany 10am to 5pm 28 Nov – 29 Nov 2015
W W W.W E N D T- K U E H N . C O M