This is an exceptional example of antique Black Forest woodcarving, featuring a masterfully rendered St. The figure captures the classic Alpine “savior” theme, complete with the legendary brandy cask around the dog’s neck. The carving shows remarkable detail, from the thick, textured coat of the St. Bernard to the naturalistic rocky base and floral accents. Measures 13″H by 8″W. Inset into the trunk is a functional glass thermometer with a metal face displaying both Celsius and Réaumur scales. The entire piece is set upon a rocky, naturalistic base accented with carved foliage and a classic floral motif. Safety & Policy Compliance. Mercury-Free: This antique decorative item contains a spirit-filled (alcohol-based) glass thermometer tube. The underside of the base is hand-signed “ERNEST”. Signed Black Forest items are significantly more desirable and typically command higher prices than unsigned pieces. This signature likely points to a recognized master or workshop from the Brienz region of Switzerland. Potential carvers associated with this name include Ernest Roggero (documented by the Swiss Woodcarving Museum) or Ernst Heissl, a prominent 19th-century carver known for high-quality animal figures.
