Wild Boar Inkwell

Wooden inkwell in the Black Forest style depicting a wild boar signed N. Deneffe on the terrace. N. Deneffe was probably a student at the Brienz woodcarving school, which is the only institution in Switzerland where one can learn the trade of woodcarver. Founded in 1884 under the name “Schnitzlerschule Brienz,” the Swiss woodcarving craze began in 1851 during the London World’s Fair. In 1816, while famine was raging, Christian Fischer, a master woodturner from Brienz, began carving everyday objects and selling them to tourists. To meet the growing demand, he was soon teaching this craft to local people. In 1896, an animal park was founded at the initiative of the Brienz Cantonal Woodcarving School. Wild animals then served as live models for the apprentices. DimensionsWidth: 28 cmHeight: 36 cmDepth: 18 cm Period: late 19th (19th) century