Can You Help? Page 27

Founded
in
1952

Artistry
in
Wood

August's update tells a marvellous story of two young people's first encounter with Buchschmid and Gretaux Wood Inlay Work and their "lost and then found" adventures in acquiring their first wood inlay piece (they so very nearly lost out in purchasing this picture, being as it was Mr Buchschmid's last "hands on" piece). And, then there was that house fire!
Oh Dear! What a story, but don't let us give you the condensed version here, read the story in Sue and Tim's own words along with their beautiful picture on the page below. Do please enjoy, it is a wonderfully told story:

Our August 2010 update brings a wonderful tale of an owner's (Sue & Tim Williams) adventures (shall we say) in the acquisition and ownership of a much loved Buchschmid and Gretaux wood Inlay picture.

Do read on for a very heart warming story:

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"I, too, own this beautiful piece in reasonably close dimensions to the ones you described.

The dimensions of my piece appeared to be the same as yours I saw online, but I've measured and find them to be quite different in certain places.

The actual picture portion of mine is 18.5 inches across and 20 inches high.

With the "frame" around the picture (which is 3 inches sides and top and 4 inches on the bottom) and the actual frame in which it sits (which is about 1 1/2 inches wide), the overall size is 27 7/8 inches wide and 30 3/8 inches high.

This piece was sold with "frame" - that refers to the 3 inch sides, top, and 4 inch bottom or without. I never saw a piece that didn't have the same 1 1/2 inch actual frame (as we know it) that surrounds the piece.

I first fell in love with it when we were stationed in Schwabisch Hall, Germany (1964- 1966).

Upon my return stateside, I kicked myself for not having purchased it and said if I ever returned it would be the first thing I would purchase.

Well, fate allowed, and we returned and were assigned to Zweibrucken with a six-week interlude in Neubrucke.

The second day I was there, a display of B & G wood inlays greeted me when I walked into the Officer's Club. I asked about the Chrysanthemums - did they still exist?

I believe the man was the nephew of Herr Buchschmid (relative anyway), and he said they had *one* more that was in Stuttgart, and it would be the last piece that Herr Buchschmid had his hands in the making of, and that no more were to be made - the business was on the wane as age and infirmity precluded much of this work to continue.

However, I'm not one to actually say that there weren't more made or sold after June 5, 1970 when I purchased this one as shown in the pictures.

He then told me that family members would sit around tables and put together the "parts of the puzzle."

I never asked the price! I ordered it, and when we were settled in Zweibrucken, he delivered that and the Four Season's Coffee Table that we also bought (and no longer have.)

The picture cost $150 because it's considered "with frame", and the table was $75. Both were high prices for a young Captain in the U.S. Army.

Our home burned down in 1996, and I was heartbroken when I couldn't find "my Chrysanthemums."

However, seven months later, when our reconditioned furniture was delivered to our re-built house, guess what came off that truck and brought joy back into my life?!

I love it, and nothing could make me part with it!

Thanks for letting me share my story."

......................

Thanks ever so much for sharing your wonderful story with us Sue.

We are so pleased to see that you got your picture back after it looked like you'd lost it in that dreadful fire.

We do hope you continue to get many more years of enjoyment from such a lovely and desirable piece of B & G craftsmanship.

......................

Readers, if you have a similar heart warming B & G story of your own, why not get in touch and tell us. We would love to hear from you, thanks.

""Chrysanthemums"
by B & G
(Photo courtesy of Sue & Tim Williams)

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" Detail View of Design"
Wood Inlay Picture by B & G
(Photo courtesy of Sue & Tim Williams)

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Closer detail from the vase design
Wood Inlay Picture by B & G
(Photo courtesy of Sue & Tim Williams)

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The BG signature from the above Chrysanthemums picture
Wood Inlay Picture by B & G
(Photo courtesy of Sue & Tim Williams)

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" The picture taken in slightly different lighting"
Wood Inlay Picture by B & G
(Photo courtesy of Sue & Tim Williams)

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Valuing B & G Wood Inlay Works

A question we regularly get asked is "how much do you think my B & G picture may be worth?"

Well, given the current difficult financial climate, the short answer is "as much as someone is willing to pay!". This is not to say that there is a lower subjective value in the works, it is just that market values are not presenting what we would see as an accurate balance at the present moment.

Actually, this could all work rather well in your favor if you are a collector of B & G works, being that it is somewhat of a buyer's market at the moment. If you take the long term viewpoint, this is probably a good opportunity to scour the second hand shops and boot/garage sales and pick up a B & G bargain or two!

Don't forget, B & G don't exist anymore, and original clean pieces will eventually become very difficult to obtain.

So, don't despair if you see some B & G pieces "going for a song", it doesn't mean they have lost their value, it just means everything is readjusting.

Given a more favorable normalization in the monetary system, B & G Wood Inlay Works will see their true values reestablished once again. So, just hold on in there, you'll be more than glad you did.

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marquetry
enquiry
reply

Information on the valuation of Wood Inlay or Marquetry pieces

Please note that we (The Marquetry Society) are unable to give market reference valuations on any marquetry, or wood inlay works, or pieces of any kind.

Any such value information as we do give on this web site has been derived from references to published information made available by the appropriate auction houses.

If you wish to obtain an accurate valuation for your wood inlay or marquetry piece/s, we would recommend you approach a relevant auction house for an up to date and accurate current valuation assessment.

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