Former Travelling salesmen,
the
"Kraxenträger", spread the
wood carvings through
the whole of Europe
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In his travel report dated 1520, a Florentine traveller
praises the fineness of the Oberammergau carvings. In 1563,
the Ammergau carvers even received a Handicrafts Code of
their own from the Abbot of Ettal. Although the carvings
were sold mostly locally at that time, many distributing
houses were set up in the 18th century with branches all
over Europe. From these distributing houses, travelling
salesmen, the so-called "Kraxenträger",
took over selling the goods from doorstep to doorstep.
Today there are about 120 wood sculptors in Oberammergau,
actively carving and selling a large variety of wooden artefacts,
from figures of saints to household goods. Furthermore,
a Carvers School in town offers courses providing specialist
training for wood carvers.
Those who are interested in finding out more about the formation
of the artefacts before buying them should visit the "Pilatushaus".
In the afternoon one can watch the carvers at work and witness
the "birth" of a wooden figure.
Detailled information on handicraft in Oberammergau can
be taken from the guide "Kunsthandwerk in Oberammergau"
(in German). (order
here)
Some of the woodcarvers from Oberammergau are also present
in the web:
For more information or special requests please contact
us at info@oberammergau.de
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