Strange statue

[mariusgmioc]

What about Judith holding the head of Holofernes?!

[corrado26]

I am living in the Black Forest and I can affirm you that this is certainly no work of art of our region. By the way, Hans Christian Anderson was not a German but a Danish and between Danmark and the Black Forest in Southwest Germany there are more than 1000km. I think that the sculpture depicts Judith and the head of Holofernes.
corrado26

[Richard G]

If someone told me it was an (African) Makonde carvers attempt at a European subject I wouldn't be too surprised. Colin Henshaw might know.
Regards
Richard.

[colin henshaw]

Originally Posted by Richard G

If someone told me it was an (African) Makonde carvers attempt at a European subject I wouldn't be too surprised. Colin Henshaw might know.
Regards
Richard.

I can't really help much unfortunately. It does look a bit like Makonde work and they sometimes carved sculpture with Christian imagery...

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Richard G

If someone told me it was an (African) Makonde carvers attempt at a European subject I wouldn't be too surprised. Colin Henshaw might know.
Regards
Richard.

While in the Army i have been neighbor to Macondes, watch them working and also saw the results. It is true they carved European images by request; i had one made of our lady of Fatima for myself. I don't think this is their work, neither the type of image nor the carving style.
But i just don't think; no expertise here.

[thinreadline]

Originally Posted by corrado26

I am living in the Black Forest and I can affirm you that this is certainly no work of art of our region. By the way, Hans Christian Anderson was not a German but a Danish and between Danmark and the Black Forest in Southwest Germany there are more than 1000km. I think that the sculpture depicts Judith and the head of Holofernes.
corrado26

No offence but I am perfectly aware of Hans Christian Andersons nationality ! I
do however think the style has much in common with Black Forest style wood carving. You may well be right about it being Judith and Holofernes though most often in art this is depicted as Judith with a sword and with the head of Holofernes being carried not by her but by her servant & quite openly rather than concealed.

[Royston]

Thanks everyone. I didn't think it was goint to be very obvious. Richard, I like your idea. Several people had suggested Black Forest, but I did not think that the wood was dark enough or the carving fine enough.
Thinredline, the Rose Elf looks the best bet to me.
Cheers
Roy

[thinreadline]

Originally Posted by Royston

Thanks everyone. I didn't think it was goint to be very obvious. Richard, I like your idea. Several people had suggested Black Forest, but I did not think that the wood was dark enough or the carving fine enough.
Thinredline, the Rose Elf looks the best bet to me.
Cheers
Roy

Thank you , though I do stress that this is only a suggestion. This story though popularised by Hans Christian ANDERSON ,exists in variant forms throughout central and northern Europe .