(Size 75 cm x 34cm x 51cm)
Cynsifen was first mentioned in documents in 1324. At that time, it was named after a small number of miners who settled in the area of today’s “Seiffen” to mine the tin deposits that were discovered by Cistercian monks during the development of the Ore Mountains. However, their existence was not proven until 1451 by a letter of feud that included the term “Czyn Syffen”. The meaning of the two words was derived from “soaping the tin”, i.e. separating the tin from the waste rock by washing. Over the years, this gave rise to the current place name “Seiffen”.
The mechanically movable candle arch “Cynsifen” shows the change from miner to toy maker that took place in Seiffen when the tin yield from mining steadily decreased and finally dried up completely. The local miners and their families therefore had to find new ways to earn a living. Since the area around Seiffen was home to dense “miriquidi”, i.e. very densely forested areas, it made sense to use the existing wood resources to initially produce everyday objects such as bowls, spoons and buckets. This then developed into the turning of wooden toys, which were sold through retailers throughout Europe.
Since this represented an important turning point in Seiffen’s history and still shapes the town and the local craftsmen, who have now mostly specialized in arts and crafts, starting with wooden toys, my grandfather decided to develop a candle arch that would demonstrate exactly this change. He set out to show the effort of working underground and the difficult conditions that the wood turners also had to face, so that these would not be forgotten. At the same time, however, he also created a link to the present, which would not be missing from the Seiffen church, which dominates the townscape today, and also the Christmas market and the mountain parade with the children’s traditional costume group of the “living toys”. My grandfather wanted to make it clear that it is possible to overcome economic difficulties and changes in current events with hard work, as well as with persistence and the willingness to forego. Without the persistence and adaptability of the miners of the time to the new circumstances, Seiffen would not be the well-known place it is today: “The toy corner in the Ore Mountains”.
Since these very reasons were very important to my grandfather, but he no longer had the strength to complete this candle arch, I would now like to use the completion of this candle arch named “Cynsifen” to commemorate my grandfather, the founder of our factory, source of ideas and creator of true works of art, who died in 2015, and to dedicate this candle arch to him in deep affection. He was a person who did not stop at boundaries, but always found a way to overcome them. I am very grateful to him because he paved the way for me and my family, which we can now walk together. I would also like to thank my grandmother, who still supports me actively, and my family, who diligently and consistently works and sticks to our goals. I would also like to express my special thanks to my employees, who are always keen to deliver excellent quality.
I wish the lovers of our candle arches a lot of joy and contemplative hours with this work of art.
Jenny Mattheß, Seiffen, June 30, 2017
Manufaktur Klaus Kolbe GmbH
Steinhübel 31
09548 Kurort Seiffen
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