Christmas 2013 . . . December 20

I've just arrived home after a very special day visiting new friends who are long- time members of Golden Glow of Christmas Past.   If I didn't have the Christmas spirit by now, today's visit guaranteed it!  The family room boasts three large trees absolutely laden with ornaments, while every kind of Santa with sleigh and reindeer (celluloid, wooden, metal, you name it) cover every inch of the floor underneath the trees.   No room for presents here!

The mantle is lined with a charming display of Christmas Lichterhäuser (light houses), which are also displayed around the room.  There was so much to see, at first glance I totally missed the hand carved mantle with a spring of holly in the center and Santas encircled in a wreath on either end.  

Off in another corner is a table covered with dozens and dozens of large scale hand carved creche figures and large creche by master carver Louis Sarvary. Louis Sarvary was born in Hungary, and in 1946 he left his homeland and settled in Germany.  Two years later, while visiting the mountain village of Oberammergau, he saw wood carvings which made a profound impression on him.  In 1951 Louis Sarvary moved to the United States, and it wasn't until several years later that he returned to Oberammergau and eventually studied carving there under one of the outstanding master carvers,  Guenter Guerke.   He continued to live in the US until he passed away, earning his living from his creations.  

Although Sarvary lived and carved in the United States, he imported the wood for his carvings from Oberammergau.  

                                This wise man on camel is 10 inches tall.

This half-tree hangs on the wall over the creche.  My friends commissioned Louis Sarvary to carve the angels which hang from the tree.

                   A sincere thank you to my friends for a wonderful day!