Busacca Gallery

This was one of the first toys made by Naef. Switzerland Design Naef Ellipso Wooden Black and Red Articulated Twist Toy: This is a Handmade Craft Display articulated art toy. Wooden Sculpture By Naef Ellipso, Wooden Twist Toy Deluxe wooden Naef toy, made in Switzerland. Ellipso: designed by Xavier de Clippeleir in 1983 for Naef Toys, Switzerland. Ellipso is a closed linked shape consisting of 12 elliptic parts which enable continuous movement, allowing endless different shapes. Will provide adults and children with hours of fun. Ages 8 years and up. Naef's Ellipso is a flexible, variable and dynamic wooden twisting toy. Elliptical wooden elements with rotating joints are the basic aspects of this unique wooden toy. Create new optical works of art by twisting the wooden elements. A circle, square and countless other interesting sculptures are effortlessly created. Naef Toys are luxury wooden play objects designed to encourage creativity. Most toys can be assembled in endless variations. All are genuine art objects that are decorative, attractive and appealing to the senses. Each wooden toy has non-toxic coloring. Every customer tells us they love their new Naef toy. We are certain that you will love Naef too! Material: wood Size: 6" inches by 2" inches

Kurt Naef – founder of the company Naef

May 4, 1926 – November 30, 2006



Kurt Naef devoted over 60 years of his life to the material wood. Firstly, as an apprenticed carpenter and later, as a designer of wooden toys, which made him famous all over the world. The road to success, however, was long and winding. He was guided by various coincidences, encounters and also changes. But what was the driving force behind him along this road?



Kurt Naef was an exceptionally inquisitive, open and determined type of person. Regardless of the expense or risk involved, whatever he started was treated with care and perfected, and had to meet his high quality standards before leaving his hands. His natural way with people and ability to inspire them also helped him to build up his company and make it successful.











Ellipso was designed by Xavier De Clippelier in 1983. This neat handmade toy is made by Swiss master craftsman using only heartwood maple because of its ability to maintain its strength and not warp or distort over time. Maintaining tolerances within 1/100 of an inch over the life of the piece is a typical benchmark for our craftsman. The construction of the toy is a wonder of 12 elliptic parts which are seamlessly hand joined, allowing continuous movement. It's beautiful design will give adults and children the chance to discover a plethora wonderful shapes and forms by twisting and turning the linked structure.





Now here is a little background on this great and modern production company. The Naef company was founded in 1956 by the master carpenter/toy maker Kurt Naef. Keeping with tradition, Naef is still family owned/operated and all parts of production process (from the carpentry and painting/lacquering to the boxing and labeling) are done in Switzerland. The Naef company has worked hard to keep the company small (Less than 20 employees world wide), production numbers exclusive (only a limited number of Naef products are released outside of Switzerland every year) and our the quality of craft as high as humanly possible (many tolerances used are consisted to those used in the automobile industry). NaefUSA is the sole importer and distributor for Naef products in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Via Design Don't Panic.