Can We Help? page 46

Founded
in
1952

Artistry
in
Wood

May's update brings you a lovely religious work by the Buchschmid and Gretaux Wood Inlay Company's studios. This is of the Christ Head which was much of a favourite with Herr. Otto Chlup the owner of ABC Studios in Heidelberg who was the principal representative for the Buchschmid and Gretaux Wood Inlay Company.

Our May update features the very collectable Christ Head (Christus Kopf) wood inlay picture by Buchschmid and Gretaux.

This was one of their much favoured pieces and along with the Praying Hands piece it forms a much sought after pair of religious pieces from the B & G studios.

There was an accompanying document that went with this picture, and we have reprinted it for you on this page.

It describes the work of Buchschmid and Gretaux in their own words.

The Bernauer & Chlup JR. official stamp verifies the authenticity of the piece and the documentation.

As the saying goes these days - enjoy!

Thanks go to Beverly Mead for sending this in to us.

Jesus Christ (Christus Kopf)
(Photo courtesy of Beverly Mead)

Rubber stamp authoristaion for Bernauer & Chlup on the accompanying document for the Jesus Christ picture
(Photo courtesy of Beverly Mead)

Below is the text from the document which accompanied the above Jesus Christ picture:

“BG” inlay work is done with wood veneers in natural colors which are glued onto masonite. No warping. All the single pieces are cut out by hand on a powered jig saw. The finishing polish is alcohol and water resistant.

List of Veneers Employed With BG Inlay Work
(Incomplete)

MAPLE, GRAY
MAPLE
CHESTNUT
PEARWOOD QUITE WHITE
ELM CURL
WALNUT FLAT CUT
WALNUT, GERMAN, LIGHT
MACASSAR EBONY
ROSEWOOD
OAK
WALNUT SAPWOOD
PLUMWOOD
PURPLEWOOD
SAPELI MAHOGANY
CHERRY CURL
PLAIN CHERRY
PLANEWOOD
GREEN MAPLE, LIGHT
PEARWOOD, REDDISH
BIRDSEYE MAPLE
RIO ROSEWOOD
BONDUC
ROSE TREE

COMMON ELM
LIGHT GREEN MAPLE
BIRCH ROSE
SUGAR MAPLE
BLACK MAPLE
MAPLE CURL
WALNUT, MEDIUM
SWISS PEARWOOD
AFRICAN PEAR
BLUE CHESTNUT
BOXWOOD
LOCUST
MAPLE, BLUE-GREEN
DARK CHERRY
TABASCO MAHOGANY
YELLOW CHERRY
WALNUT MEDIUM DARK
GRAY MAPLE
ZEBRANO
FLOWERED WHITHWOOD
DOSEY WALNUT
BLACK WALNUT
CEDAR

ROSE BOXWOOD
LIGHT PEARWOOD
RED ROSEWOOD
ORANGE WOOD
YELLOW BIRCH, OBECHI
AVOUDIREE
AM. WALNUT
BOOBINGA
BRONCE CANDLE WOOD
EBONY
SERVICE TREE
RED ALDER
ASH
THUYA
BOG-OAK
AGOUMA
PALISANDER, BRAZIL
PALISANDER, EAST-INDIES
RED GUM
HOLLY

How Inlay Work Is Done:

An artist’s drawing, which is to be featured in inlay work, will first be transposed into a drawing in lines only, on transparent paper, of which then a couple of blueprints will be taken.
These blueprints are ripped apart and the area for which a certain veneer has been chosen, for color and grain of the wood, will be pasted onto a choice piece of that veneer, or rather a small stack of several pieces.
On a powered jig saw a highly skilled workman cuts along the contouring line of the area chosen for this veneer, with a precision approaching 1/300 of an inch.
According to size and intricateness of the design there are anywhere between 50 and 1600 pieces to be cut out for one inlay item. The next move is assembling the intended design out of the pieces of veneer, by glueing them in place on a big piece of paper, mirrorwise. The sheet of paper and adhering pieces of veneer is then turned upside down and the veneer side glued onto a piece of wayrock, or masonite, a composite of wood shavings and glue which is imperviable to temperature and moisture, does not contract, crack or warp, - and now the topside paper is sanded away cautiously.
After repeated sanding and applying several coats of a synthetic varnish with a silicone ingredient which makes the finished product alcohol – and water resistant, it is ready.

The History on Inlay Work:

First traces are found in China, adopted by Egyptian artists, mostly for symmetrical or geometrical patterns. The Moslem Invasion brought the skill to Spain, from where it is traced to Venice.
Towards 1450 it came into its best historical time, after artists like Brunelleschi adopted perspective designs, landscapes or architectural scenes. Some churches and castles in Italy still show astonishing items and applications of inlay work.
Around 1500 inlay work came to Germany, flourishing in cities which did most trade with Italy, like Nuernberg and Augsburg.
Art deteriorated and was partially lost in the aftermath of the 30 years war, falling back to the original decorative and geometrical simple designs. Re-enlivened with the re-detection of the values of handicraft in reaction to the predominance of mass production.
The degree of manual skill in making inlay work will forever limit available quantities.

Presented by BERNAUER & CHLUP JR
Art Studio
HEIDELBERG
BRUICKENSIR. 20

Indisticker
ROSENTHAL OHINA
all other makes
inlaid wood, pictures Tables etc.
Wiesbaden-Rambach
OtpreuBenstroue 16 – Teleton
Authorised by Army and Air Force
APO Packing

marquetry
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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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