Holzkunstgewerbe (wood art) Michael Müller is a small family owned company, situated in the village of Kamenz (Saxony) about 40km from Dresden. The speciality of Michael Müller Holzkunst are 3D double arches made with the traditional fretsaw technique. The beautiful arches designed by graduate engineer Michael Müller and his team show classic scenes of the Christmas season and typical motifs of the region: the mining history of the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains), forest scenes or romantic winter motifs. The size ranges from the mini light arches with a width of 9 inches to big arches of 49 inches, so it’s certainly possible to find the right arch for every taste and every budget.

Candle arches

Hand-sawn, also called fretworked blanks form the scenery of Michael Müller's candle arches. The boards consist of 3mm thick birch plywood. Michael Müller even cuts out the wood for the candle arch bases (lime, aspen, spruce) in his private forest, to have it further processed in the sawmills of the region.

The motif of the beautifully shaped and elaborately designed candle arches is not sawn out by a computer-controlled machine, but by the wood artist himself, using a hand-guided machine. Thus no standardized models from mass production are created, but individual pieces, which differ slightly from each other in detail. This conventional fretworking technique requires the highest level of craftsmanship. In many companies lasers, water jets or computer-controlled milling machines have already taken over this difficult work.

By the arrangement of several layers the candle arches get their third dimension. Indirect illumination with hidden LED lighting even enhance the 3D effects. Many affectionate details decorate the small candle arches of Michael Müller wood art, as well as the bigger ones such as the splendid 3D double candle arch “Seiffen Christmas market”. Here and there the scenery is decorated with glittering artificial snow. Furthermore, little details like the villagescapes with their half-timbered houses are accentuated by a few dark-coloured parts. Also the figures are largely kept in natural wood tones - only the faces are skilfully painted by hand. The beautiful figures are made by the renowned Erzgebirge folk art workshop of Romy Thiel, for example.

Light triangles and Window Pictures

So called window pictures - illuminated fretwork decorations to be hung up behind the window - and light triangles, complete the assortment of the Michael Müller Woodcraft Company. The light triangles designed by Michael Müller show typical Ore Mountain motifs inserted in the shape of a fir tree which surrounds the little scene, such as the tiny christmas market, carol singers or the funny bobsleigh rider. They are also equipped with atmospheric, indirect LED lighting and are often additionally decorated with figures or other small, charming details.

Quality

You can sense the passion of the wood artists and the joy of their craft in all motives made by Michael Müller. In fact Michael Müller’s hobby became a profession in 1990, in the general atmosphere of change in Saxony after the fall of the “iron curtain”. Even after more than 30 years, the founder still runs the family business himself. It is his concern to preserve the traditional craftsmanship of the region and to guarantee consistent high quality with great craftsmanship. Since all items that leave his workshop are only made in very small quantities a Michael Müller candle arch is ideal for all customers that look for a very exclusive piece of work.

By the way, suitable candle arch supports are available for all candle arches of Michael Müller, so that the arches can be placed at an ideal height in the window. Basically they require the German voltage, but they are also available for Asian and American customers with 110-volt electronics. All LED-illuminated items are suitable for a mains voltage of 100 Volt to 240 Volt - both for the European market with Euro flat plugs - and for Asian and American customers with a respective adapter.