During Oberammergau’s peak tourist seasons, visitors can easily while away an hour observing artisans demonstrating their trades on the ground floor of the beautifully-frescoed, 18th-century Pilatushaus. In past centuries, nomadic traders would have acquired crafts like these and sold them throughout Europe, making Oberammergau famous for its fine work. Today, travelers can purchase the items directly from the craftsmen and women at the Pilatushaus.
Just prior to Christmas, my mother and I ventured there, pleased to find three craftspeople at work: a woodcarver, coppersmith, and an embroiderer. (The brochure we were given noted that more than 50 artisans – including potters, puppet makers, reverse glass painters, and basket weavers – were also to show off their technique on future afternoons.)
Since Oberammergau is renowned for its woodcarving, I particularly enjoyed watching the woodcarver / Schnitzer, Karl Heinz, at work on a graceful angel. He explained that for several hours, he’d done the initial shaping with an electric saw. As Karl Heinz chiseled away at the angel’s features by hand, he mentioned that he loved that his non-technical job allowed him to live in such a peaceful region as the Ammergauer Alps.
When I heard the great number of hours needed to complete just a reasonable-sized piece, it helped justify the hefty prices I’d seen tagged on woodcarved figures in Oberammergau shop windows — generally hundreds of dollars/euros.
Next, we observed coppersmith / Kupferschmied, Josef, showing off his skills on a piece of copper destined to be transformed into a regal eagle. Brass and copper horse, angel and dog figures on garden stakes looked on.
Looking at his work table, I found it remarkable that such delicate items – including the petaled roses prominently featured – could be fashioned from such rugged tools.
Quite the social butterfly, Josef insisted on taking pictures with his American onlookers. He even mischievously took off his Bavarian hat and swapped it with mine.
After the impromptu photo session, Josef kindly gifted me with a copper bracelet, which he fashioned before me and placed on my wrist.
Our last informal lesson was with embroiderer / Stickerin, Coletta, who sported an elegant Dirndl, upswept golden braid, and accessories with Bavarian flair.
Coletta makes elaborate decorations for monasteries and private buyers using fine, gold metallic thread. One floral creation in progress sitting atop her table had already taken twenty hours to create.
An intricate Christkind display – featuring a wax figurine of a ‘Christ child’ adorned in gold – was priced at more than 500 euros (nearly $700).
We left the exhibition with a greater appreciation of Oberammergau’s artistic heritage, and the desire to get creative ourselves. Perhaps follow-up lessons with Josef, Colette and Karl Heinz are in order!
Before You Go:
- The exhibition – referred to as die Lebende Werkstatt or the ‘living workshop’ – is housed in Oberammergau’s Pilatushaus at Ludwig-Thoma-Strasse 10.
- Telephone: 08822-949511.
- Admission is free.
- Check the above website for 2013′s exhibition dates.
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Filed under: Travelogues Tagged: angels, artisans workshop, Bavaria, copper, crafts, Europe, exhibition, Germany, Lebende Werkstatt, Oberammergau, Pilatushaus, travel, woodcarving
