| The Austrian Artist Karl Perl |
| Not a complete listing of works) Karl Perl (1876-?) Karl Perl, an Austrian sculptor and engraver was born in Liezen (a city in the Austria state of Steiermark) on March 3, 1876. The majority of Perl's sculptures are relatively small (under 2 feet). He studied under Hellmar, Zumbusch and Kundmann and worked in Vienna as a sculptor of figures, busts, bas-reliefs as well as medals and medallions. Among others, he produced a series of small plaques depicting scenes from popular folk and fairy tales. Note, (3/4/2006); Perl's medals and plaques, while quite popular among some collectors, usually sell for very modest prices. His sculptures however are quite often a totally different story. |
| This bronze plaque is titled "Der Kleine Däumling" (The Little Thumbelin), a fairy tale by the brothers Grimm. It is uniface, 75 x 55 mm in diameter, and weighs 120g. |
| Other Plaques/Medals |
| Falconer |
| Original Sin |
| Fisher boy |
| Smoker |
| Baron von Munchausen |
| Tischchendeckdich, Goldesel und Knüppel aus dem Sack |
| Sleeping Beauty |
| Fairy and Unicorn |
| Bajazzo Jester/Fool/Buffon/Clown 55 x 56mm Bronze, 1923 |
| Pied Piper of Hamlin |
| Liebespaarim im Karneval 86.3 x 54.6mm, 119.6g |
| Die Sieben Schwabeü |
| The Seven Swabians |
| Schusterjunge Shoemaker's Boy 65.3 x 35.2mm, 53.68g |
| Till Eulenspiegel 69x46mm, 98g |
| Till Eulenspiegel was a German peasant trickster whose merry pranks were the source of numerous folk and literary tales. Born in Kneitlingen near Braunschweig (Brunswick) around 1300, he traveled through what is today Northern Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium, and is said to have died in Mölln around 1350. He is often represented as a trickster folk hero who made fun of authority. Till Eulenspiegel is usually depicted wearing the costume of a medieval court jester and holding a mirror and a marotte. The mirror is to reflect the follies of people and society, but especially the follies of the upper class and people in authority. The marotte symbolizes that we all play the fool in spite of our self delusions to the contrary. In modern times and especially during Fasching or Fastnacht (german Carnival Time ) Till Eulenspiegel can be seen, dressed up like a medieval court jester, mocking the establishment with practical jokes and political satire. |
| Art Deco Bronze, 65 X 55mm, 86g |
| WW-I, Soldiers at the Front |
| Image used by permission of owner |
| "Der Lustige Augustin" 71mm x 49.5mm, 102g, Bronze, uni-face, depicting Augustin, Lieber, b. 1645, d. Vienna, March 11, 1685, legendary street musician, bagpipe player and impromptu poet. He is remembered in the popular Austrian folk song, "Oh du lieber Augustin". The tale of Augustin is a folktale of luck and hope. According to one legend, many years ago during a time of plague in Vienna, the townspeople lose all hope of surviving. Augustin, well liked and known to be a happy go lucky, cheerful, and optimistic fellow is depressed and deeply saddened because fear of the plague keeps the town-folk from gathering at the Taverns and Inns where he likes to hang out and entertain with music, poems, jokes and amusing stories. One evening, in his sorrow, he partakes of a bit too much wine and falls asleep in a nearby alley. Mistaken for another unfortunate plague victim, he is loaded onto a cart, hauled away and dumped in a huge pit |
| filled with plague causalities. After spending the night amongst an overwhelming multitude of dead, he awakens to an unbearable stench and swarms of flies so vast they obscure the sun. Unable to get out of the pit, but not quit resigned to death, he starts to play some cheerful music to keep his spirits up. Nearby workers, astonished to hear music coming from the plague pit investigate and rescue him. Augustin neither dies nor sickens from his experience and consequently becomes a symbol of hope to all of Vienna. |
| Austrian Coins, Medals & Tokens |
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