Martin Antonenko
A Fixture
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2008
- Messages
- 8,994
Mourning for Erika Ochel
November 9, 2022
She was undoubtedly one of the greats on the collector scene. Erika Ochel has now died at the age of 82. As the publisher of around 12,000 types, the former owner of the Kieler Zinnfiguren was one of the most important publishers of all. The North German shop has shaped the collections of several generations of pewter figure enthusiasts.
After her marriage to Georg Kroschewski, her husband initially took over the business from her father Aloys Ochel. After the separation, Erika Ochel continued to run the business on her own before finally handing it over to Marbod Gerstenhauer a few years ago. In this way, she ensured that collectors can continue to purchase figures from the Kieler Zinnfiguren shop.
Visiting the small backyard shop in the Schleswig-Holstein state capital was always a special event for countless friends of tin figures. Quite a few made long journeys to rummage through the drawers and inspect certain types before buying. Collectors often found more in the boxes at home than they had bought. Small yet big gestures of their sympathy for the collectors. Above all, collectors like to use the opportunity to talk shop with Erika Ochel or just to chat. Because there was plenty to talk about with the warm-hearted mother of two children, who first completed a teaching degree after graduating from high school, and beyond pewter figures. Erika Ochel spoke French fluently and maintained good contacts with collectors in France. In addition, the gifted painter was a student of Werner Rieger and a passionate lover of art. Her circle of friends included the engraver Karl-Werner Rieger, son of her teacher, as well as a number of artists and musicians who were regular guests at her house in Schilksee.
It is thanks to Marbod Gerstenhauer that the types of Kiel pewter figures remain accessible to collectors. But Erika Ochel's warmth, openness and human affection will be missing. She not only leaves a large gap on the stock exchanges, which she was no longer able to visit in her later years. The world of collectors will keep fond memories of this lovely woman. Our condolences go to her family.
Karl Werner Rieger and Henning Voss
November 9, 2022
She was undoubtedly one of the greats on the collector scene. Erika Ochel has now died at the age of 82. As the publisher of around 12,000 types, the former owner of the Kieler Zinnfiguren was one of the most important publishers of all. The North German shop has shaped the collections of several generations of pewter figure enthusiasts.
After her marriage to Georg Kroschewski, her husband initially took over the business from her father Aloys Ochel. After the separation, Erika Ochel continued to run the business on her own before finally handing it over to Marbod Gerstenhauer a few years ago. In this way, she ensured that collectors can continue to purchase figures from the Kieler Zinnfiguren shop.
Visiting the small backyard shop in the Schleswig-Holstein state capital was always a special event for countless friends of tin figures. Quite a few made long journeys to rummage through the drawers and inspect certain types before buying. Collectors often found more in the boxes at home than they had bought. Small yet big gestures of their sympathy for the collectors. Above all, collectors like to use the opportunity to talk shop with Erika Ochel or just to chat. Because there was plenty to talk about with the warm-hearted mother of two children, who first completed a teaching degree after graduating from high school, and beyond pewter figures. Erika Ochel spoke French fluently and maintained good contacts with collectors in France. In addition, the gifted painter was a student of Werner Rieger and a passionate lover of art. Her circle of friends included the engraver Karl-Werner Rieger, son of her teacher, as well as a number of artists and musicians who were regular guests at her house in Schilksee.
It is thanks to Marbod Gerstenhauer that the types of Kiel pewter figures remain accessible to collectors. But Erika Ochel's warmth, openness and human affection will be missing. She not only leaves a large gap on the stock exchanges, which she was no longer able to visit in her later years. The world of collectors will keep fond memories of this lovely woman. Our condolences go to her family.
Karl Werner Rieger and Henning Voss
