The photo on Facebook Marketplace was eye-catching. It showed an ornately carved image of stags, dogs, wheat and vines, with some writing on a piece of paper embedded into the wooden frame.
“I found this thing in the attic,” John Thomson wrote. “I have no idea what it is, but I know it is very old. I posted this to see if anyone knows what it is. I’m not trying to sell it, but hey, if the price was right I would. Trying to do my due diligence. If anyone can read the words, let me know. The guy either had bad handwriting or it’s in a different language… it seems to be all carved wood.”
A number of people commented, some interested in buying it, others offering information on what they thought it might be. One person translated the text, written in German, to “Ornament No. 2, based on a 16th-century original in a church in Florence… Probably executed between 1825 and 1830.” Another added that it was done by “a well-known German sculptor and wood carver. He is particularly famous for his work at Sanssouci Park in Potsdam, where he served the Prussian royalty. The note indicates this is a high-quality historical reproduction of a Renaissance-era Italian piece found in Florence.”
I had no additional insight but encouraged Thomson to bring the piece in for appraisal as part of Trash or Treasure. He recently brought it to DuMouchelles, where Cameron Derian took a closer look in hopes of telling him more and giving him a current appraisal.
The piece is indeed German, the appraiser explained, identifying the wood as boxwood and the subject “an elaborate hunting scene.” The artist is Eduard Stutzel, a sculptor who lived in Germany from 1806-1865. “This probably hung on a building or wall,” the appraiser said. “It’s really high quality.” The human figure is known as the green man, a medieval mythological or pagan figure often depicted during a 19th-century revival.
There were few comparatives of similar things sold at auction, but the appraiser dated it to the 1820s-1830s and praised the “excellent quality” of the work. “It’s really wonderful, really beautifully done,” he remarked, valuing it at $800 to $1,200 at auction, maybe more. Thomson decided to leave it behind. “I never put it on the wall because it’s not really my style,” he said.
Fortunately for him, others had different opinions. The unusual piece sold for $5,000 last week at DuMouchelles, an even better result than Thomson had hoped for. “This went beyond my expectations,” he said.
About the item
The item: German carving
Owned by: John Thomson
Appraised by: Cameron Derian, DuMouchelles
Estimated value: $800 and up at auction
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Trash or Treasure: Rare attic carving fetches $5,000 at auction
Reporting by Khristi Zimmeth, Special to The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Khristi Zimmeth, Special to The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
