Limewood Dioramas

10144

Fine Limewood Dioramas by Sebastian Steiner:

Austria ca. 1880.  Sebastian Steiner (1836-1896) was an Austrian wood skulptor and carver who produced masterfully carved limewood dioramas of the Tyrolean countryside, in the late 19th century (3).  He also produced wood carved portraits of individuals during studio sittings or from paintings.  He participated in and exhibited his artwork at The World Exhibitions in London, Paris, and Vienna, and also at The Centenial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876.  He won numerous awards at these events.  He became master wood carver for the Royal Tyrolean Court in his later years.

Steiner's wood carvings were primarily sold through Unterberger's Art Gallery in Innsbruck, Austria.  Frantz Unterberger (1838-1902), the owner of the gallery, featured Steiner's work because of his admiration of the intricasies of the carvings, which were renditions of early 19th century Tyrolean interiors.  All of Steiner's carvings were done from a single block of limewood in extraordinary detail and high relief.  Many of Steiner's carvings were modeled after Tyrolean paintings done by Franz von Defregger (1835-1921).  The present carving (15.5 X 12.5 cm) is after the original painting by Defregger, "Farewell to the Hunters," which he completed in 1877 (See picture.). 

The tavern scene in the second carving (48 X 36 cm) may be an original artwork since the corresponding model painting has yet to be identified.

Condition:

Extremely fine condition.  Well preserved.

Bibliography:

1.  Schmitt Horan & Co. Candia, New Hampshire, US.   Lot:  228; 5 AUG, 2023.  (29 X 32.5 X 5.75 in.)

2.  Beeldhouw Kunst in het Rijksmuseum Coll. Catl. Amsterdam (1973) No. 402b.

3.  Online Resources:  [https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sebastian_steiner(Bildhauer)]

4.  Aranski, Daniels, Daniels (2005); "Swiss Carvings, The Art of The Black Forest 1820-1940."  Woodbridge.

5.  Blackman, Peter F. (2009); "Black Forest Wood Carvings:  The History of Swiss Brienzerware."  Schiffer Pub.