Large One of A Kind Museum 18th Century Italy Street Vendor Figurine folk art 5, US $760 – Picture 0

Large One of A Kind Museum 18th Century Italy Street Vendor Figurine folk art 5, US $760 – Picture 1

Large One of A Kind Museum 18th Century Italy Street Vendor Figurine folk art 5, US $760 – Picture 2

Large One of A Kind Museum 18th Century Italy Street Vendor Figurine folk art 5, US $760 – Picture 3

Large One of A Kind Museum 18th Century Italy Street Vendor Figurine folk art 5, US $760 – Picture 4

Large One of A Kind Museum 18th Century Italy Street Vendor Figurine folk art 5, US $760 – Picture 5

Large One of A Kind Museum 18th Century Italy Street Vendor Figurine folk art 5, US $760 – Picture 6

Large One of A Kind Museum 18th Century Italy Street Vendor Figurine folk art 5, US $760 – Picture 7

Large One of A Kind Museum 18th Century Italy Street Vendor Figurine folk art 5, US $760 – Picture 8

Large One Of A Kind Museum 18th Century Italy Street Vendor Figurine Folk Art 5

US $760

Willis, Michigan, United States
Jan 31st

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RARE OPPORTUNITY TO OWN THESE This auction is for a Street Market Vendor display depicting life in a Alpine Village in the 18th century, lots of detail. The display as shown is 23" wide, Pepsi can is for size reference. These are entirely hand made including clothing, faces, and hands. The bodies under the clothing are of wire frames glued to bases of wood or cardboard. Some of the items may be dusty. Below is the advertisement from the auction that I attended. It contains all details of the items that I purchased and have listed. The last 3 pictures show the majority of the figures that I will be listing. There are also many buildings not shown. Open to offers for the entire lot. SPECIAL MUSEUM CONSIGNMENT: We are proud and excited to offer at public auction the contents of a former Frankenmuth Tourist attraction known as: "Zeesenagel, Itallian Alpine Village" This unique display of hundreds of hand made miniature figures was started in 1971 by two friends who both worked as display artists for Zehnder's of Frankenmuth. The entire collection was donated to the Plymouth Historical Museun Approx. 10 years ago and is now being offered at public auction. HISTORY OF THE MINIATURE ALPINE VILLAGE David Zeese of Troy Mi. along with Donald Nagel of Frankenmuth had traveled to Italy in 1963 They both were viewing some historic "Creche" nativity display competition in Rome when they both decided to turn their artist talents toward a similar endeavor. They had been commissioned by a Detroit bank to create an exceptional nativity display for the 1971 Holiday season. They used their Rome travel photos and further research to create a large multi figure display that the bank displayed for five years. After the final close of the nativity display they both decided to expand the entire concept and leased a commercial space at 780 Mill St. in Frankenmuth. They increased the number of scenes to include all forms of activity that would occur in an 18th century Italian Alps village. The centerpiece continued to be the nativity scene but over the next 25 years they added up to 600 figures and over 30 specific scenes. Hundreds fo thousands of visitors paid to tour this huge display in the late 70's 80's and early 90's and many bought handmade gift items in the gift shop that ended the tour. Both Don and David were involved in the construction of each miniature figure or accessory It would take up to 20 hours to construct the potters clay heads and hands on a wire armature. Historical accuracy was achieved by completing each figure with historically accurate clothing that sometimes required actual antique material and lace. Much research and skill was used to put the scenes together that would accurately reflect life in an 18th. century Alpine Village. Unfortunately, both Don and David met with an untimelhy death and the Zender family of Frankenmuth took possession of the minature Alpine Village. In 2002, the entire collection was generously gifted to the Plymouth Historical Museum by Al Zender. Both Dave Zesse and Don Nagel were long time members of the Plymouth Historical Museum. Unknown to the staff of the Plymouth Historical Museum, all of the background displays of the miniature village was constructed out of cardboard, masking tape, poster paints and paper mache. It was soon discovered that the permanently attached displays could not be easily removed transported or displayed. The hundreds of figures of the displays were carefully wrapped and placed in approx. 250 boxes and had been carefully stored in secure and dry storage at the museum. After a decade, the Plymouth Historical Museum decided that it was going to be impossible to reconstruct the village without the orginal artists and the decision was made to offer the entire collection at public auction. Most of the figures will be sold by the scene with some figures offered individually and in small groups. This will be a once in a life time opportunity to bid on and own a unique treasure that thousands (approx. 5000,000) of visitors to Frankenmuth had paid to view. Note: The original backdrop displays had deteriorated and were destroyed with only a few buildings being saved. We hope you join us on Thursday evening January 16 for a 6pm Special Auction. Slice Of Bavaria Old World Charm Is A Way Of Life In one Michigan Town Tour the reconstructed 1848 mill with its grinders and sifters, and a water powered 2 1/2 ton grindstone. Flour ground at the mill can be bought in the General Store (701 Mill St., 517-652-8422). Small beginnings When artists Don Nagel and David Zeese began creating a miniature Italian Alpine Christmas village in 1971, they never dreamed their 50 hand made figures would grow into a display of more than 400 characters and more than a thousand complementary pieces, all built to a two-inch scale. The display is a permanent attraction at Zeesenagel`s Italian Alpine Village (780 Mill St., 517-652-2591). Tours

Condition	Used : An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections.
Seller Notes	“Good condition.”