Holzkunst Emil Schalling Seiffen

The famous symbolic figure “Angel of lights” is the logo of the workshops of Emil A. Schalling, located in the beautiful arts and crafts village of Seiffen. The romantic little town with its characteristic round mountain church, nestled between wooded hills, is often referred to as a "toy village" because of its many wood workshops. The company was founded in 1904 by Emil Schalling. Thus, the Schalling workshops have been working with wood in an extremely creative way for over 115 years by now. In the 4th generation, Emil Schallings great-grandson Matthias Schalling is nowadays leading the company, which has successfully expanded. In the first decades, as in many workshops in Seiffen, wooden toys and furniture for doll’s houses were manufactured. Later, arts and crafts items such as miniatures and Christmas pyramids were added to the assortment and are now the core of the production. In the meantime the family business has grown to about 15 employees.

Angel and Miner made by Schalling

The symbolic figures Angel of Light and Light Miner (Lichterbergmann & Lichterengel) have a long tradition in the ore mountains. Especially in the dark season they symbolized the miners' longing for light, during the long working hours underground. They are the trademark of the Schalling workshops and are still produced following the old tradition and then lovingly painted in bright colors. They are available for wax candles or electrically illuminated. The versions which carry an additional yoke of light on the head are particularly splendid. A further special feature are limited annual editions such as the modern white angel of lights with tea light, whose wings made of acrylic glass can be effectively illuminated thanks to fine LED stripes.

Christmas pyramids by Emil A. Schalling

Emil A. Schalling’s Christmas pyramids stand out by their creative design. The classical two to four-tier pyramids in traditional shape are interpreted in a more modern way. Clear forms and a skilful gradation of different wood tones - in interaction with beautiful large figures carved in modern, simplified forms - create a harmonious, timeless overall picture, which radiates a great tranquillity. The design of Emil A. Schalling’s one-tier pyramids is even more audacious and consistently modern: The slightly asymmetrical 1-tier pyramid “Nativity”, for example, is available in light coloured natural wood or more extravagantly painted in black with white figures. Made by Emil A. Schalling means effective, innovative design, and highest craftsmanship.

Schalling Nativity

The figures of the Schalling designer crib, which was developed in cooperation with the well known wood designer Günter Schwoboda, are characterised by a very special language of form and represent the central figures of the Christmas story. The light-coloured figures, made of particularly finely grained maple wood and carefully crafted, have a noble and timeless radiance.

Quality

Emil A. Schalling uses only selected woods and high-quality paints. The handcrafted production in small series guarantees items with an individual character and a high quality standard. The company is a member of the “Association of Erzgebirge artisans & toy manufacturers” and since 2009 its products can be marked with the logo "Echt Erzgebirge - Holzkunst mit Herz" (Genuine Erzgebirge - wood art with heart). The company also takes care for the environmental protection. The workshop's electrical energy comes 100% from renewable sources. The wood waste is used for heating in a CO2-neutral way.