Animal motifs like this reclining cow made from unvarnished arolla pine wood were carved mainly in Villnöß during the 19th century and up to the First World War. A range of animals were depicted: exotic beasts from Noah's Ark, yet there were also examples of local animals, mostly characteristic of Alpine romanticism.

After jointed dolls, carved animals were the most important items in the Gröden range. Most of these were horses: rocking horses, draft horses for all sorts of carts and horses on wheels. These horses were painted and delivered in all sizes: from little toy figurines to ones that children could sit on.