Carved Wood Figural Inkwell: Gnome/Dwarf at the Wood Pile

This hand-carved figural inkstand originates from the Alpine region (Switzerland/Germany’s Black Forest) and fits the style of traditional folk art carvings.

Detailed Description

• Material: Carved wood, possibly oak, walnut, or a similar dense hardwood, finished with a dark stain or patina to enhance the wood grain.
• Subject: The inkwell depicts a playful woodland scene featuring a meticulously carved dwarf, gnome, or woodsman figure beside a neatly stacked woodpile.
  • The Figure: The small figure is rendered with great detail and expression, wearing a cap, a jacket, and trousers, and appears to be a log to the woodpile. His posture and clothing are typical of Alpine folklore and peasant figures.
• Inkwell Function (The Woodpile): The function of the inkwell is cleverly integrated into the design:
  • The stacked woodpile forms the main, rectangular body of the piece.
  • The top section of the wood pile serves as the lid, which lifts up to reveal the ink bottle. When the lid is closed, the inkwell is concealed, making the piece appear simply as a carving of a gnome and a wood stack.
• Base: The figure and the wood pile are carved integrally atop a naturalistic base, which is irregularly shaped and textured to evoke rough ground or a forest floor.

Context, Age, and Marking

• Marking (“St. Gallen”): The inscription “St. Gallen” refers to the city of St. Gallen, Switzerland. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this region and the neighboring Black Forest of Germany were major centers for these highly detailed, often whimsical, wood carvings. The mark suggests the piece was either made in St. Gallen or, more commonly, carved in the Swiss Alps and sold through a prominent retailer or workshop in that city.
• Style and Period: The subject matter (gnomes, woodsmen, and nature) and the detailed, realistic carving style are hallmarks of the Black Forest carving style (known as Brienz ware in Switzerland).