Viechtauer Vögel at Leogang

What's it about?

Viechtau is a landscape on Lake Traunsee in the Salzkammergut. Over centuries, the tradition of carved and painted wooden birds developed here. Due to bitter poverty, Maria Theresa granted these people the privilege to sell their craft products free of charge on merchant ships within the Austrian Empire. While the carving work was mostly done by men, the coloring was often carried out by women. The objects produced mainly included birds, but also spoons and bowls. Given that a significant portion of the species depicted are now extinct or highly endangered, these objects hold high documentary value for modern ornithology. In addition to species-specific features, the carvers also considered different age stages of the birds. The craft of bird carving in Viechtau reached its greatest extent in the 19th century, consisting in this...

Where?

Bergbau- und Gotikmuseum Leogang
Hütten 10

Organiser: Bergbau- und Gotikmuseum Leogang