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© Dietmar Denger

The Ammergau Alps Blog

Wood carving since 1775 - 250 years of "Georg Lang sel. Erben"

Florian Lang stands in the exhibition and proudly talks about the art of wood carving since 1775.
© Anja Lieberherr
An old order book lies on the wooden shelf next to another wooden game piece.
© Anja Lieberherr
Three carved wooden equestrian figures are displayed in a glass case.
© Anja Lieberherr
The publisher's house in a black and white photograph from 1925.
A black and white photograph of the Klepperhaus by the Lüftlmaler Franz Zwink
© Lang sel.Erben

Oberammergau is considered one of the most important centers of religious woodcarving in Europe. As early as the 16th century, local craftsmen began creating artistic figures and sacred motifs from native woods. Over generations, this developed into a distinctive craft tradition that became renowned far beyond the region. Alongside the world-famous Passion Play, woodcarving remains a central part of the town's cultural and economic life – supported by companies like "Georg Lang sel. Erben," which carry on this heritage with care and meticulous craftsmanship. This family business is one of the oldest medium-sized family enterprises in Germany and will celebrate its 250th anniversary in 2025.

Creaking floorboards, old workbenches, and walls that could tell stories. Walking through the publisher's house in the heart of Oberammergau with Florian Lang, you can feel his deep connection to the historic building. Since 2006, he has been running the family business "Georg Lang sel. Erben" in its seventh generation, whose headquarters have been located here since 1838. 

This year the company celebrates its 250th anniversary – an event Florian is justifiably proud of. This is particularly evident when you delve into the family history through his stories: 

“When you start to imagine what the world was like 250 years ago, you really realize what a vast period of time we're talking about. In 1775, the American Revolutionary War broke out, and according to several different sources, the last witch trial in Germany took place. Oberammergau had 900 inhabitants at that time – roughly half of whom worked in arts and crafts,” said Florian Lang.

Similarly, Georg Lang founded his woodcarving business that same year, specializing in the manufacture and distribution of toys. By 1800, the company had already built up a considerable product range that certainly brought joy to many children: Particularly popular were freight wagons with wooden transport boxes and carved figures of drivers. The action toys were also a great success.

Even when Johann Evangelist Lang took over the company from his father Georg in 1825 and expanded the former small business into one of the largest shops in Oberammergau, toy production remained the main focus. His father, however, had already broadened the product range to include nativity scenes and religious figures.

Florian Lang points to an old book lying on a chest of drawers in front of him: "We added up some figures," he says, indicating a computer-generated list next to an original order book written in old German script. "According to this book, a total of 188.451 string jugglers – better known today as jumping jacks – left the shop in the years 1830, 1831, 1837, 1838, and 1839."

In an exhibition that Florian Lang has put together in the rooms of one of the old workshops to mark the anniversary, numerous such exciting relics from the eventful family and company history can be discovered.

A framed letter with a truly royal sender is a particular eye-catcher: an order in the name of Queen Therese of Bavaria. On December 7, 1852, she ordered a fortress with 200 mobile soldiers for the upcoming Christmas festivities – a gift for her grandson Prince Ludwig, the future King Ludwig II of Bavaria.

With the growing popularity of the Passion Play and the increasing popularity of Passion Play tourism, Oberammergau's woodcarving tradition became ever more synonymous with religious woodwork. This was also reflected in the product range of the company under the direction of Guido Lang (1856-1921), which continuously evolved to meet the expectations and desires of its customers. Crucifixes, chapels, nativity scenes, statues, and processional items became indispensable parts of the product line and were shipped all over the world. The trend was moving away from primarily small-scale figures towards large sculptures and even complete church furnishings.

Just like his ancestors, Florian Lang is a trained wood sculptor, having completed his apprenticeship at the carving school in Oberammergau and subsequently working in his father's business. In 1984, he passed his master craftsman's examination and has held the title of master wood sculptor ever since. His work is also strongly influenced by religious motifs, which remain the core of his production to this day. Although he rarely picks up a carving knife himself anymore, the art of woodcarving is kept alive in the workshops of the company "Georg Lang sel. Erben" (Georg Lang's heirs).

The works can be purchased in the company's own shop – still located in Publisher's house in Oberammergau.

Anyone wishing to delve into the history of the company Georg Lang sel. Erben can do so until the end of the year. Exhibition for the 250th anniversary It is open every Wednesday from 10 am to 12 pm and offers an exciting insight into the company's history, the highs and lows of the company, and the importance of craftsmanship for the region.