Silver Schneeberg

A new candle arch was designed to mark the 20th anniversary of the Klaus Kolbe factory in Seiffen. It was presented on July 1st, 2010 at the open day in Seiffen at the Klaus Kolbe factory. The new mechanical candle arch, limited to 500 pieces, was created from the limited, movable series of historical mining scenes in the form of mechanical candle arches.

• Dresden Striezelmarkt
• Seiffen Christmas Dream
• Molchner Stolln in Pobershau

In the middle of the ore vein, the wondrous story of Duke Albrecht “The Courageous” is told. In 1477, he and his companions were lowered over 100 meters into the depths on a horse saddle with the help of winchmen on three ropes. The duke was entertained at a 400-centimeter silver specimen that had been carved out by miners through 12 ore veins. The figurative representation is controlled by an extensive gear mechanism and is therefore movable. Duke Albrecht is said to have exclaimed during the meal: “Emperor Frederick may be a powerful man, but he does not have a table made of pure silver.”

Afterwards, Duke Albrecht appointed Heinrich von Starschädel as mining captain and laid the foundation stone for the first stone church in Schneeberg. Two years later, he granted Schneeberg a court system and two years after that, the rights of a free mining town.

In the upper part of the arch, the town of Schneeberg with the St. Wolfgang Church frames the Schneeberg light festival. The wonderful rotating and illuminated local pyramid with the historical figures, the Erzgebirge Nativity of Christ on the lowest disc and carolers in the upper part of the pyramid, sets a festive tone. The Schneeberg miners’ association is a special eye-catcher in the center of the event.

This arch naturally also draws attention to the Schneeberg mine safety. The “Weißer Hirsch” hut in the background and the work of the mine safety at Dreibock deserve special respect, because they contribute to the rehabilitation of the old mine and the development of mineral resources. I dedicate this arch, which reflects light and shadow, past and present, to my friends Mr. Bernd Schönherr and Ms. Ines Walter with deep respect. This time, emphasis was also placed on the preparation of the production that follows the model construction. This has progressed excellently by the entire collective. My special thanks go to my wife Christa, my son-in-law Dietmar, my daughter Kerstin and my granddaughter Jenny.

Seiffen, July 1st, 2010