altar information needed QUESTION from Katy October 7, 2000 We have an altar at a Willa Cather historic site church that was ordered from Europe by a pioneer family (1906). How do we verify where it was made? There are no local records. We must go by the design. It is an ornate carved wooden altar that has been reported to have come from either England or Bavaria. A tour person (minister) stated it was made by a German family who specialized in Catholic and Luthern church altars. He gave the name: Riemenschneider. He based this on the fact that his church in Texas had an altar that was a match for it in design and age.
Where do we start? Do you know a contact? Thanks so much for any help you may give.
Katy at Willa Cather, or FR. Steve Ryan (our director) www.willacather.org
ANSWER by Mr. John Miskell on October 7, 2000 Dear Katy,
There was a famous German artist by the name of Riemenschneider. He was best known for making delicate figures and carved faces. His most famous works include a spectacular stone Adam and Eve which is now on display at the Würzburg Museum and a beautiful wooden altar at St. Jacob`s Church in the city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bavaria. Riemenschneider died in 1531. Beyond this I'm not much help.
In Christ,
John Miskell
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