Dreher Carvings: Gemstone Animals from Idar-Oberstein - Hardcover

Wilhelm Lindemann; Will Larson; Ekkehard Schneider

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 3897905078 ISBN 13: 9783897905078

Publisher: Arnoldsche Art Publishers, 2017

Synopsis

• 114 gemstone animals by master engravers Gerd and Patrick Dreher - mostly made from a single gemstone
• Profound essays on techniques and materials by renowned authors
• New and detailed photographs allow never before seen aspects of the beautiful gemstone carvings

Engravers Gerd and Patrick Dreher are famous the world over for their masterly animal figures, each of which is cut from a single gemstone. In the early twentieth century, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather all cut gemstones for Fabergé - mostly agate but also ruby, obsidian, aquamarine, citrine and rock crystal. Today, creations are still being meticulously made by hand using traditional techniques.

The realistic miniature forms of mice, snails, toads, monkeys and hippos are designed by the two artists in multilayered and coloured gemstones so that, for example, the faces, palms of the hand or soles of the feet shine in an iridescent red-brown agate while the bodies are worked in the glossy deep black part of the stone. These unique engravings are today some of the rarest examples of the highest quality in craftsmanship, and represent fascination of the highest cultural degree in a world of increasing globalisation.

About this edition

• Publisher: Arnoldsche Art Publishers
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 3897905078
• ISBN 13: 9783897905078
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 240