German Folk Art Appraisal

Stained Glass Suncatcher with Traditional German Couple Scene

This item is a circular stained glass suncatcher, approximately 12-16 inches in diameter, constructed from various pieces of glass joined by lead or copper foil solder lines. The central panel features a detailed painted or printed image depicting a man and a woman in what appears to be traditional German or European folk attire, surrounded by a vibrant arrangement of fruits and flowers. The man on the right wears a tall black top hat and a dark jacket, while the woman on the left wears a colorful bonnet, a white blouse, and a red and white vest. Behind the couple, a small, intricate building reminiscent of a traditional European cottage or farmhouse is visible to the left. The scene is rich with color, showing various shades of red, blue, yellow, green, and orange in the floral and fruit motifs. The border of the suncatcher is composed of clear, possibly textured glass segments separated by thinner lead lines, with an outer rim of light green stained glass segments. There are several dark, possibly lead, connecting pieces forming the sturdy frame of the circle. At the bottom of the central panel, a handwritten inscription is present, which reads "von Gisele u. Bubi aus Hamburg" and "19. Mai 1990," indicating the item was a gift or made for Gisele and Bubi from Hamburg, dated May 19, 1990. The overall impression is one of a personalized commemorative piece. The metal frame shows some patina consistent with its age, but no apparent major chips or cracks are visible in the glass. Two metal chains are attached to the top of the frame for hanging. The craftsmanship appears to be good quality, with clear delineation of the painted details and well-soldered joints in the glass.