The Nürnberg Stove

The narrative follows August Strehla, a small boy in a snowbound Alpine town, and his large, struggling household gathered around an ornate sixteenth-century Nürnberger stove made by Augustin Hirschvogel. The stove's royal past is evoked while domestic scenes show how its warmth and beauty sustain the family through cold winters and poverty. Vivid descriptions of the town's medieval streets, churches, and shops frame episodes of children's play, errands, and household care. The account contrasts historical splendor with present need and reflects on how treasured objects carry memory, offer consolation, and influence daily life.