Pair of 19th-Century Limewood Carvings of Romantic Tyrolean Scenes

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Romance is in the air—make that Alpine air—with these two hand carved wood plaques. They depict a pair of romantic, … Read more Romance is in the air—make that Alpine air—with these two hand carved wood plaques. They depict a pair of romantic, bucolic scenes, and likely originated from Switzerland or the Tyrolean region of Austria/Germany. These types of carvings are characteristic of late 19th-century Alpine folk art.
They’re made of carved limewood (also known as linden wood), a material prized by carvers for its soft, smooth and malleable qualities. And these are housed within dark, possibly ebonized, wooden frames accented with a gold-tone inner edge.
The left-hand scene features a traditionally dressed man and woman who are outdoors. The man is seated on a bench, and the woman is standing behind him, covering his eyes with her hands in a playful gesture. A hat rests on the bench beside him.
The right-hand carving likewise features a traditionally dressed man and woman. They are sitting on a stone bench under a tree. The man is looking up at the woman, who holds a small bouquet of flowers. The text carved into the front of the bench reads "J' hab' Di gern", which is a Bavarian or Austrian dialect phrase meaning "I like you" or "I am fond of you," in any case, a term of affection.
Pieces like this were often sold to tourists visiting the region during the 19th century. Can you hear the yodeling?

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