Woodcarvers Create Christmas Masterpieces

Outside view of Toni Baur’s shop for woodcarved articles is seen on Dec.1, 2011 in Oberammergau, Germany. Oberammergau woodcarving tradition, which is the most famous in Bavaria, has its roots in the 12th century, though members of the St. Luke’s guild, the association of Oberammergau woodcarvers, deplore the decline of the tradition both from a lack of new generations of woodcarvers as well as competition from wood figurine factories in northern Italy and Asia. In Oberammergau approximately 50 woodcarvers still churn out figurines of mostly religious motifs throughout the year. (Johannes Simon,Getty Images)

A woman stands inside Toni Baur’s shop for woodcarved articles on Dec. 1, 2011 in Oberammergau, Germany. (Johannes Simon, Getty Images)

Toni Baur, owner of a woodcarver shop presents a traditional Alpine style Christmas crèche in his showrooms on Dec. 1, 2011 in Oberammergau, Germany. (Johannes Simon, Getty Images)

Woodcarver Heinrich Zwink manipulates a Bavarian style Christmas crèche at his workshop on Dec. 1, 2011 in Oberammergau, Germany. (Johannes Simon, Getty Images)

Baroque style figurines for a Bavarian Christmas crèche are seen in the workshop of woodcarver Herbert Haseidl on Dec. 1, 2011 in Oberammergau, Germany. (Johannes Simon, Getty Images)

Woodcarver Heinrich Zwink holds shepherd figurines for a Christmas crèche at his workshop on Dec. 1, 2011 in Oberammergau, Germany. (Johannes Simon, Getty Images)

Woodcarver Herbert Haseidl carves a figurine in the shape of a dromedary for a Christmas crèche at his workshop on December 1, 2011 in Oberammergau, Germany. (Johannes Simon, Getty Images)