Wooden Sculpture - Grotesque Character - Drunkard, Folkloric, Caricatural - Popular Art

Late 19th century Switzerland / Aosta Valley / Germany / Austria ? This wooden sculpture represents a picturesque character, probably inspired by the popular figures mocked at Alpine carnivals. These festivities, deeply rooted in mountainous regions such as Switzerland, Aosta Valley and Germany, often used exaggerated and grotesque characters to embody archetypes of everyday life. The character represented here, a drunken simpleton with his badly buttoned coat and exposed underpants, recalls the mocking figures of these carnivals, where people laughed at human excesses and failings. The Aosta Valley, located on the border between France, Switzerland and Italy, shares a rich Alpine tradition, with cultural influences common to Savoy and the German-speaking regions. Sculptures like this one, possibly from this region, embody popular humor and celebrations that aimed to temporarily reverse social roles and festively criticize behaviors such as drunkenness or laziness. The expressive face, outstretched arms, and poorly arranged buttons emphasize this desire to ridicule the character, while capturing the light and critical spirit of these popular celebrations. This is a humorous tribute to a villager who probably overdid it and did not "put his clothes back together" after a night of heavy drinking. This tradition has its roots in festivals such as the Feast of Fools or the Roman Saturnalia, where temporary social disorder allowed for the expression of what was normally repressed in everyday life. A hole is dug in the head of the sculpture, the purpose of which remains mysterious, but it could be linked to a utilitarian or decorative aspect specific to this type of object. Please note: The superb patina of the wood and the expressiveness of the features bear witness to the age of the piece, which remains in good condition despite its age. This sculpture perfectly illustrates the humor and satirical spirit of 19th century Alpine folk art. Dimensions: • Height: 21.5 cm ALL DELIVERIES ARE MADE BY DHL EXPRESS ONLY!