For the finished product, come to where we have a wide variety of handmade nutcrackers imported from germany. Much like the lever nutcrackers, they operated by a handle in its back. Learn the history of this german craft and draw a nutcracker, while learning a bit about the proportions of the human form for those who have mastered skills of level i, we recommend to try our level ii art classes. For more than four centuries, germany was a global center for dolls, fostering everything from technical advancements such as the mechanical voicebox to purely imaginative improvements such as the concept of the babydoll. Originally, christmas nutcrackers were made in erzgebirge which is a mountainous region in germany and were designed to symbolize the upper class, military personnel, and other high authority figures in germany. The steinbach family made their fortune mining, but their legacy is in nutcrackers.
The frame workshop displays one of the largest selections of authentic german nutcrackers in wisconsin. Rappl had previously carved a 6foot clown nutcracker that the wagners. Life was rough during that time and people had to fight hard just to stay alive. Dec 21, 2017 this is the 7th nutcracker my wife and i have made. Today, a few famous companies produce highquality nutcrackers, such as steinbach and others. Germanmade nutcrackers are figurines or wooden dolls traditionally made to resemble toy soldiers, royalties, miners, and tradesmen. Dec 16, 2010 some of my mothers collection was made by the venerable old nutcracker houses steinbach being the most storied and purchased at a german specialty store in cleveland. Our steinbach and christian ulbricht nutcrackers are timeless treasures perfect for a gift or to add to your home or collection. Heres how the typical german collectible became the. A good nutcracker could be made from up to carefully assembled pieces. Erzgebirge german nutcrackers christmas decorations.
The history of german nutcrackers starts with a fairy tale. The history of nutcrackers according to german folklore, nutcrackers were given as keepsakes to bring good luck to your family and protect your home. The style has points on either side of the frame and is available in a gold or natural wood finish. Yet, within the modern pantheon of christmas critterines, the traditional nutcracker is. German nutcrackers from the erzgebirge region of germany are sought by collectors all over the world. Steinbach nutcracker christmas nutcracker german nutcrackers. Kindle direct publishing indie digital publishing made easy prime now free 2hour delivery on everyday items. Every nutcracker we carry is a real german nutcracker from erzgebirge by chrrisian ulbricht or steinbach.
In legend, the nutcracker possessed miraculous powers, bringing good fortune and protection from evil spirits. The nutcracker was first developed around 1870 and is nowadays one of the most famous representatives of the erzgebirge. Replacement parts for ulbricht nutcrackers and smokers from. Juvale 6pack of christmas tree decorations hanging wooden decorations, nutcracker doll christmas ornaments, festive embellishments, 6 assorted designs 4. Mar 10, 2019 according to german folklore, nutcrackers bring good luck to your family and protect your home. A wide variety of german nutcrackers options are available to you, such as. Meet the germans a brief history of the nutcracker doll its a typical christmas decoration in germany and in many other parts of the world. A brief history of the nutcracker doll all media content dw 12. Explore our diversity and enjoy our products, because. Nutcracker dolls originate from late17th century germany, particularly the ore mountains german. The handcrafted wooden nutcrackers are a sought after collectors item.
Every family should have at least one handcrafted traditional german nutcracker. Expert craftsmanship and a pledge to create only made intheusa products are the hallmarks of our company philosophy. The formal dress of nutcrackers, along with the works by hoffmann and tchaikovsky, make these statues an important part of holiday decorating. Buy beautiful and authentic german christmas nutcrackers the exclusive online shop for premium handcrafts made in germany. Especially kings, soldiers and gendarmes are often used as a model. They are handpainted using bright colors and they come in different sizes.
A brief history of the nutcracker doll all media content. Get the best deals on german nutcracker when you shop the largest online selection at. Nm the history of nutcrackers leavenworth nutcracker museum. Its a typical christmas decoration in germany and in many other parts of the world. Choose from pull puppet ornaments, nutcracker ornaments, and novelty nutcrackers. They were often given as gifts, and at some point they became associated with christmas season. A smoker made by one of the famous manufacturers in the erzgebirge guarantees the highest quality of material and they are all at the top of original german workmanship. Karl is a 6foot carved nutcracker of a beerdrinking bavarian.
The standing wooden soldier nutcracker, the iconic nutcracker that we know today, was first made in the sonneberg and ezerberge regions of eastern germany in the early 19 th century. These traditional german nutcrackers were made in seiffen germany, in the erzgebirge mountains where the wooden nutcracker was first made back in 1872. German made nutcrackers are figurines or wooden dolls traditionally made to resemble toy soldiers, royalties, miners, and tradesmen. One is of arlene wagner, one is of george, and the final one is of their ambassador, karl. Build your familys traditions with that perfect one today.
We have arranged an enormous choice of about 900 different smokers. Nutcrackers the finest in german made nutcrackers from christian ulbricht, christian steinbach, richard glasser, kwo, muller and many other firms from the erzgebirgische ore mountain region. In german tradition, the dolls are symbols of good luck, frightening away malevolent spirits. Finally, a puppet maker brought him a brightly painted wooden doll with a strong. According to arlene wagner of the nutcracker museum, nutcracker soldiers were made in the erzgebirge region of germany around 1800. They were hand made by the finest german woodworkers in the land. For over 200 years we have maintained longstanding tradition, passion for detail, creativity and finest materials in our worldfamous nutcrackers.
A nutcracker is a tool designed to open nuts by cracking their shells. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Steinbach german nutcrackers, steinbach nutcrackers, steinbach nutcracker, smokers, chubbys, minis, ornaments, herr christian steinbach, german nutcrackers. Wuuut spending a couple of hundred bucks on a german nutcracker. A nutcracker bares its teeth to evil spirits and serves as a messenger of good luck and goodwill. I wanted to make some cool nutcrackers for christmas, but couldnt find anything resembling free instructions. We offer all your favorite characters from the nutcracker ballet in a range of decorative styles. German nutcrackers really crack nuts 100% handmade. A nutcracker is said to represent power and strength, serving somewhat like a watchdog guarding your family against danger. Collecting nutcrackers explore the nutcracker tradition. Nutcracker high quality workmanship high customer satisfaction. How many times have you heard people telling you german nutcrackers dont crack nuts.
Standing wooden nutcrackers were first seen in germany around 1800. The leavenworth nutcracker museum shows an 1880 miner of wilhelm fuchtner along with a miner presently made in the fuchtner family workshops. The more elaborate their decorations, the stronger their powers. Made in germany by holzkunst christian ulbricht sold in painted gold or natural wood 3 x 1 inches 7,5 x 2,5 cm. As a very special gift we recommend steinbach nutcrackers limited editions, kwo mozart orchestra, schwibbogen dresdner frauenkirche and christmas pyramids with. We have only the highest quality german nutcrackers for sale. Today many wooden toy soldier nutcrackers are manufactured in germany to meet the demands of the many collectors in the united states.
Could there be a uglier harbinger of christmas than a nutcracker doll. According to tradition, nutcrackers represent strength and power, and they are symbols of good luck and goodwill. Christmas holiday wooden nutcracker figure soldier doll with traditional red jacket uniform with gold details, large, 10 inch 5. After being turned into a nutcracker, this savior returns as a christmas gift given to a young girl, coming alive to rescue her from the mouse king and become her prince. Figurative nutcrackers are a good luck symbol in germany, and a folktale recounts that a puppetmaker won a nutcracking challenge by creating a doll. How the nutcracker achieved worldwide fame meet the germans. The short answer to this question is of course, yes they can crack nuts, but it is not recommended.
There are many designs, including levers, screws, and ratchets. Browse our online store to find traditional german gifts such as alpine german hats, nutcrackers, smokers, cuckoo clocks, beer steins, wine glasses, dolls and german novelty gifts and souvenirs. Balsam hill brings to you the timeless appeal of a classic holiday favorite with our impressive line of christmas nutcrackers. But what use is all this craftmanship and detailing if your nutcracker cracks under the pressure of its original purpose. A wellknown type portrays a person whose mouth forms the jaws of the nutcracker, though many of these are meant for decoration.
Wooden nutcrackers have become popular in the united states. That is why ten years ago, on october 23rd, 2008, the united states postal service commissioned glenn crider to design and create four nutcrackers. Most of germanys dolls were made in the region of thuringia, where more than 500 different dollmaking companies. Lowerquality nutcrackers are made elsewhere, such as in china or japan.
Nutcracker dolls, also known as christmas nutcrackers, are decorative nutcracker figurines most commonly made to resemble a toy soldier. While nearly all nutcrackers from before the first half of the 20th century are functional, a significant proportion of modern nutcrackers are primarily decorative. German nutcrackers authentic nutcrackers from germany. While it is fairly easy to find a nutcracker at christmasthemed stores and toy shops around the world, chances of finding a specific model are increased by looking online like on ebay. History of german nutcrackers get a nutcracker for your home. The christmas nutcracker got popular in the united states during the 1950s for a few reasons. One of the most popular questions people ask about german nutcrackers is whether or not they really can be used to crack nuts. Dec 08, 2014 the nutcracker doll is by far the more difficult request and, placing value on the amount of time ive put into the search, more costly. Dollhouse miniatures for your childs dollhouse imported from germany and made by reutter porcelain. Nov, 20 this video shows how a wooden nutcracker is carved, assembled and painted. Because of many wars and religious persecution the family was forced to change their domicile and settled in the german erzgebirge long before they thought about the first steinbach nutcracker. We both use our strengths to come up with the design and the end result.
The christmas nutcracker tradition began centuries ago in the alpine regions of germany. Find dollhouse miniatures for every room in your childs dollhouse including the bedroom, kitchen, dining room, living room, bathroom and more. A personal story about how i celebrated holidays when i was a kid and how i fell in love with my first nutcracker. The bavarian village of leavenworth, washington features a nutcracker museum.
They sold the festive dolls at christmas markets around. The nutcracker has changed from a functional nut cracker to an ornamental traditional christmas figurine. These are no longer manufactured and all have been replaced with the round shaped mustaches. Learn the connection between nutcracker dolls and the famous nutcracker ballet.
Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. German nutcrackers and the nutcracker ballet cuckoo forest. Nov 17, 2018 german nutcrackers and the nutcracker ballet. Do german nutcrackers really crack nuts christkindlmarkt.
In 1872, wilhelm fuchtner made the first commercial production of the wooden nutcrackers. Its become a typical christmas decoration both in germany and in many other parts of the world. How a laidoff it guy built a milliondollar nutcracker empire. German nutcrackers in the shape of soldiers or kings have been made, displayed, and used since the 15th century. One origin story attributes the creation of the first nutcracker doll to a craftsman from seiffen. The majority of the nutcracker is turned on the lathe, body, legs, and. Often the nutcracker is the image of authorities from the past. The christmas nutcracker has become popular around the world for its craftsmanship and history. The gold finished glasses were designed for the ulbricht limited edition santa nutcracker 000295. The erzgebirgepalace offers the complete world of the german erzgebirge folkart to collectors and enthusiasts of traditional wooden gifts and woodcarving decorations made in germany. Shop our best selection of christmas nutcrackers to reflect your style and inspire your home this time of year. Kg we are one of the biggest manufacturer of original erzgebirge folk art. German wooden 3dpicture boxdiorama harley davidson motorcycle.
Erzgebirge german christmas nutcrackers for sale erzgebirge, erzgebirge nutcracker, wood wooden german nutcracker handmade germany nutcracker doll. So, i did alot of guesswork and research, and came up with a pretty easy way to assemb. The name steinbach is recognized all over the world for the unique design of their wood carved steinbach nutcracker masterpieces. Steinbach pumpkin grower german wood christmas nutcracker made in germany. Vintage ergzebirge nutcracker german democratic republic ebay. Christmas nutcrackers made in germany wooden nutcracker. Many other materials also serve to make decorated nutcrackers, such as porcelain, silver, and brass. Although woodworkers made nutcrackers of many character shapes. Heres how the typical german collectible became the most.
At first, these nutcrackers, often made in workshops alongside carved toys. And even with the nutcrackers prevalence, it can be difficult to find an authentic german nutcracker. Carver karl rappl of oberammergau, germany, has made three special nutcrackers specifically for the leavenworth museum. Nutcrackers in the form of wood carvings of a soldier, knight, king, or other profession have existed since at least the 15th century. What would erzgebirge folkart be without its nutcrackers. The christmas tree he carries fully slides out of his hand. Begun many years ago by herr christian steinbach the king of steinbach nutcrackers the tradition of creating fine, handcarved steinbach german nutcrackers is being continued by his daughter, karla steinbach. This is the real deal in hand made german hardwood nutcrackers. Contact service faq imprint deutsch english portuguese japanese czech christian ulbricht handcrafted in germany since 1928.