MONTEMAESTRO
The result of artistic tradition which has been preserved for generations

Chronicle of a family named BERGMEISTER

Creativeness and spirit of innovation distinguish Ivo Bergmeister, the owner of MonteMaestro company since birth.

It was during the winter of 1906, that his great-grandfather, Mattias Bergmeister started a new era by manufacturing the wooden toy “cachelorum”, an ambitious attempt at that time and nowadays as well. He proved to be visionary trying to take style and design from the centenarian tradition of local wood carving implementing new techniques and skills. This recognition expanded his creativity and development.

This vision survived even World War I

World War I paralyzed the economy of Val Gardena. In the post-war period, there were some signs of recovery, but many craftsmen felt hopeless and gave up. Not so for Mattias Bergmeister. In 1927 he acquired the toys’ manufactory “Spissegg” together with the mill and the joinery. The ex-owner Josef Schenk emigrated to Argentina.

Matthias Bergmeister proved courageous and committed because this purchase had to guarantee the future of his young son, Franz Bergmeister in getting ahead with the family’s tradition.

Franz Bergmeister, Ivo’s grand-father was particularly skilful and innovative making himself well-deserving his father’s inheritance. At that time already he was using the veneer-technique.

World War II caused further victims.
Among them also Franz Bergmeister, only 38 years old, was killed in 1944. He left behind his wife and five children.

Origin and development of a branch

By the end of the War, “Franzl” had concluded his apprenticeship, but his workshop was technically out of date. The lack of capital forced him to find an employment with well known firms, in order to make a living.

The grandfather’s vision survived through “Franzl”

The constant impetus to perfect his work and the production facilities made him finally feel at odds with himself. To continue production with the same old system was repugnant to the young “Franzl”.

1967 he therefore decided to work on his own as a machine-carver. The work process became much easier, but craftsmen skills were still demanded. Franzl Bergmeister spent a lot of energy in technological development contributing decisively to the high level standard of today’s carving machines.

Tying to continue his grandfather’s vision, he proved that real innovation is the result of tradition combined with new elements.  Thus he smoothed the way in order to get ahead with the heritage of the Bergmeister family.

At Present

Today Ivo Bergmeister is responsible for a 100 year old tradition. He took this task with pride conscious to carry on the history of his family and the original vision of his ancestors to his descendents.

The history goes on

After having attended the school of arts in Ortisei, Ivo Bergmeister began a training as a carpenter (cabinet-maker). Having achieved the trade examination in 1994, he got the permit, to take over the family-firm.

Being at the wheel of the company, he had the chance to enliven the vision of his ancestors.
By way of example, he revived the “cachelorum”, preventing that its story and the related artisan skills could fall into oblivion. The impulse for innovation lives on in Ivo Bergmeister as well. An example therefore is the Egyptian line, an innovation, based on a 400 year old woodcarving tradition of Gardena Valley, combined with themes from Egyptian history and mythology. An impressive wooden sculpture of Tutankhamon can be admired at the Museum of Modern Art in Philadelphia.

The creative power of Ivo Bergmeister is unchanged. At present, he is a committed member of “Gardena Art”, the Association of Val Gardena woodcarving producers and he is held in high esteem by his colleagues for his frankness and creativeness.

Time will tell which of Ivo Bergmeister’s creative milestones will be preserved for future generations, making the heritage for his descendents priceless.

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