ZÄHNER, Jakob
Location:
Present whereabouts unknown.
Bibliography:
Appenzeller Zeitung, Herisau, Switzerland, May 28, 1888.
The Appenzeller Zeitung, May 28, 1888 stated: ‘…Neulich weilte der Künstler kurze Zeit hier und hatten wir Gelegenheit, das von ihm in wenigen Tagen ausgeführte Porträt von Hrn. Kaufmann Zähner zu sehen und dessen frappirende Aehnlichkeit und naturgetreues Kolorit zu bewundern…’
The sitter was evidently a well-known businessman from Herisau. Jakob Zähner was born 23 November 1812. He was the son of Josua Zähner, a farmer, and Anna Rotach. He married in 1842 Marie Bundt (Bondt), daughter of Johann Martin, tobacconist. He underwent commercial training in the textile house of his uncle Johannes Zähner in Herisau and Cologne, and in 1837, he took over the establishment with Johann Jakob Schiess-Schefer. Under the name of Zähner & Schiess & Co., it quickly became one of the largest embroidery manufacturing and exporting companies in Eastern Switzerland. He was also a director of the London Branch. Member of the Council of Herisau (1849-1850 and 1856-1861). He died 16 May 1892.
