European Wood Carving Appraisal

Pair of Black Forest Style Carved Wooden Hunting Theme Panels/Fireplace Screens

This appears to be a pair of large, elaborately carved antique Black Forest style wooden fireplace screens, or possibly highly decorative room dividers/panels. Each panel is constructed primarily of dark wood, likely oak or walnut, exhibiting a rich, deep patina consistent with age. The overall construction suggests a robust and substantial build. The dimensions appear significant, likely standing over three feet tall each. Each panel features a central, recessed rectangular area with a finely carved bas-relief scene. The left panel depicts a still life of game birds and a hunting horn, meticulously detailed, suggesting a bounty from the hunt. The right panel features a similar hunting motif, possibly depicting a deer head or a similar game animal amidst foliage. Surrounding these central scenes, the panels are framed by heavily carved borders mimicking naturalistic elements such as branches, leaves (possibly oak or acanthus), and vines, some with three-dimensional depth. The top of each panel is crowned with an impressive, prominent carving: the left features a wild boar's head emerging from an abundance of foliage, while the right displays an equally detailed stag's head with antlers, also surrounded by carved botanical elements. These animal heads serve as significant focal points and are characteristic of the Black Forest carving tradition. The supporting structures, visible at the sides and bottom, consist of rough-hewn, branch-like pieces of wood, adding to the rustic and naturalistic aesthetic. Some visible elements suggest traditional joinery, possibly mortise and tenon, secured with visible wooden pegs or nails. The condition shows a desirable aged patina, with some visible wear consistent with antique items, but no major damage or repairs are immediately evident. The craftsmanship is of high quality, characterized by intricate detail, deep carving, and a masterful execution of natural forms, indicating a skilled artisan. These pieces likely date from the late 19th to early 20th century, a peak period for Black Forest wood carving.