Swiss hand carved Black Forest figure of a fox with thermometer, Brienz, Switzerland, circa 1880 in linden wood, with the original antique thermometer, with readings for C--Celsius and R--Rankine, inset to a naturalistically carved tree trunk, surrounded by branches and oak leaves, with the central intricately carved figure of a fox, with original inset glass eyes, the fox resting on a rock-work and ferns base, on a shaped and carved wooden plinth. Jay Arenski, et al, in his book quotes Swiss Poet Heinrich Federer, who said in his memoirs, "Woodcarving brought riches to the village [of Brienz]. It became all the fashion and no Englishman left the Bernese Highlands without having seen the Giessbach, having eaten a fat roasted eel and having bought a Brienz woodcarving." Arenski goes on to say, "Thus, as the tourist industry flourished and thrived, so did the carvers, selling their wares to the well-heeled visitors." This fashion had been set in motion by Queen Victoria's visit to the area in April 1868, and by her subsequent inspiration to build a Swiss chalet at Osborne House and fill it with Black Forest Swiss carvings (see footnote). Condition: Very minimal wear. In excellent antique condition, retaining the original finish and patina. Jay Areneski, Simon Daniels and Michael Daniels, Swiss Carvings: The Art of the 'Black Forest' 1820-1940, Suffolk, UK: Antique Collectors' Club, Publishers, 2005, pp. 13-14.