Brienz - Wyss Holzbildhauerei - Hand-carved nativity figures and other items
Brienz is famous as a woodcarving village. The woodcarving school is the only school of its kind in Switzerland; it was founded in 1884 and has been run by the canton Bern since 1928. In 1900, 650 carvers were active in and around Brienz. Twenty-four trainee wood sculptors attend the school today; the school is the backbone of wood sculpture in Switzerland.
Huggler Woodcarvings have been a tradition since 1900. More than 80 years ago, Hans Huggler-Wyss created the first handcarved nativity scene of Switzerland at the time: Christnach 14 cm. The 14 cm (5.5") Huggler figures, made out of basswood, were designed in 1915 and are still handcarved and painted from the original models. The scene "Christnacht" is the oldest and most popular hand-carved nativity scene in Switzerland. Sue & Loren found these on their first European Adventure together, in the summer of 1980 and Sue immediately fell in love. Over the years, they have visited the shop many times, building upon their initial purchase of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus.
Huggler Woodcarvings have been a tradition since 1900. More than 80 years ago, Hans Huggler-Wyss created the first handcarved nativity scene of Switzerland at the time: Christnach 14 cm. The 14 cm (5.5") Huggler figures, made out of basswood, were designed in 1915 and are still handcarved and painted from the original models. The scene "Christnacht" is the oldest and most popular hand-carved nativity scene in Switzerland. Sue & Loren found these on their first European Adventure together, in the summer of 1980 and Sue immediately fell in love. Over the years, they have visited the shop many times, building upon their initial purchase of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus.