Since 1920 the Prinoth family’s LEPI workshop has been turning out superior quality hand-carved wood Nativity figurines in the village of Ortisei in Italy’s Dolomite Mountains. Located in the Val Gardena region in Southern Tyrol, the workshop also creates elegant religious icons such as crucifixes and angels, as well as figurines depicting traditional European characters, fairy tales and legends.
Original Wood Carvings Reproduced by Artisans in Val Gardena
Using sculptures originally created by master artists such as Rupert Reindl, Harald Kastlunger, Johann Giner, and Prugger Dorigo Vigil, artisans reproduce their designs using a sophisticated apparatus known as a pantograph. This machine allows an original design to be replicated in exact detail and also in sizes that differ from the original, thus allowing LEPI to offer product lines in varying heights.
Each piece is carved from a single piece of wood. Some of the figures are left with their natural wood finish. Others are carefully hand-painted in vivid detail using a variety of waxes, polishes, paints, gold or silver leaf, or combinations of all of these. LEPI artists use only quality paint and gold or silver leaf on the pieces and are masters at depicting realistic facial expressions and other details on each sculpture.
LEPI History in Ortisei, Italy, South Tyrol
Leo Prinoth, Sr., founded LEPI in the village of Ortisei, Italy, in 1920 as a woodcarver’s shop, becoming part of a longstanding tradition of the area dating from the 1700’s. In those days, the carvings were more practical in nature. They made buttons, bottle stoppers, grandfather clock housing, and other household goods. The business gradually evolved into producing additional items of a more decorative nature. As the demand for religious images grew, Nativity figurines comprised a larger and larger part of their product line.
Eventually, the business passed to Prinoth’s son, Leo Prinoth, Jr., who still carries on the family tradition. The firm continues to develop its product lines and market share, including a huge percentage of increase in their international exports.
Ortisei, a Village Nestled in the Val Gardina Valley in Italy’s Dolomite Mountains
LEPI’s hometown, Ortisei, is the main village in Val Gardena high in the Dolomite Mountains. In addition to the strong cultural and artistic institutions firmly entrenched in the area, sports also play a big part in attracting the numerous tourists that flock to the valley each year. In summer, hiking, trekking, mountain biking, swimming, tennis, golf and paragliding are popular; in winter, cross-country and downhill skiing, ice skating, and sleighing take precedent. Any time of year, however, the spas, shops and cultural entertainment events enjoy a large influx of patrons.
Certificate of Authenticity
Each LEPI figurine has a small metal badge inlaid into the bottom of the piece that assures its value and pedigree. The badge is LEPI’s signature trademark and serves as an individual Certificate of Authenticity for each figurine.
Collect LEPI Figurines Worldwide in Italy, Germany and Online
Collectors can find LEPI figurines at the workshop at Zona Artigianale 25, 39046 Ortisei, Val Gardena Italy, telephone +39-0471-796237. LEPI also has an online store. In addition, collectors can purchase LEPI figurines at the permanent exhibit handcrafted art in Orisei,the Art52 Gallery.
Moreover, LEPI sculptures are found worldwide in brick-and-mortar stores specializing in handmade wood carvings such as Kunstgewerbe Georg Ramspeck in Bamberg, Germany, as well as through online shops such as Yonder Star and Navidad USA in North America and Ladina and Demetz-Patrick in Italy.
Karren Tolliver - Karren Doll Tolliver is from the Midwest USA and received a BA in English from Mississippi University for Women in 1984. Writing since she ...
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