Read on to learn more about the history of the nutcracker and how they evolved into todays form. Nutcrackers and smokers make lively christmas decor. German nutcrackers authentic nutcrackers from germany. The east germans stuck to the traditional nutcracker the king and the guard.
This dimensional design is the main mustache used by ulbricht today. The german smoker has a long and interesting history that tells of the ingenuity and hardworking spirit that makes the german people so interesting and traditional in their ways of life. The history of german smokers pyramids, smokers, nutcrackers. The ulbricht family roots can be traced back to the 17 th century. Lowcost imports of nutcrackers pose a risk to the ageold woodcraft of eastern germanys erzgebirge region, famous for its christmas. Explore our diversity and enjoy our products, because. Long before the first christian ulbricht nutcrackers were designed. Nutcrackers are a huge part of christmas decorating.
German nutcracker 16 blue wooden erzgebirge soldier large wood nutcracker ballet xmas home decor german table decor christmas gifts germany mybeautifulbavaria 5 out of. Besides the popular nutcrackers, the steinbach company also produces incense smokers, music boxes and an array or ornaments. This giant christmas nutcracker was made by volkmar matthes. According to the late great herr steinbach of steinbach gmbh, a nutcracker is a symbolic figure, one that gives happiness and protects your family. Replacement parts for ulbricht nutcrackers and smokers. However, nutcracking devices have had a longstemming evolution for a few thousand years. The business nature changed while designs became more innovative. In the german erzgebirge ore mountains the most famous nutcracker was born the original german erzgebirge nutcracker. Authentic german made nutcrackers and other goods not a souvenir shop first things first this is not a souvenir shop, the sign outside of the store says so. Get the best deals on christmas nutcrackers 1946 1990 when you shop the largest online selection at.
The family settled around the erzgebirge, a mountainous mining area which at one time was. This is the exact nutcracker i have that emily saw on martha stewart. Karolin steinbach at christmas treasures september 2010. It seems like companies compete to see who can created the largest or most elaborate variations on the nutcracker theme. What the nutcracker house or nussknackerhaus is is a unique shop that offers for sale quality german made nutcrackers and. I have a 3 foot nutcracker and the ticket says east germany. On closer look though, there are actually huge differences between east and west germans. In the 15th century rich deposits of gold, silver and tin were discovered and. When germany splintered into east and west, the erzgebirge region was behind the wall. While there are no woodcarvers in this urban remnant of old europe, there are a good sampling of wooden christmas tree ornaments and nutcrackers from east and west germany.
Every family should have at least one handcrafted traditional german nutcracker. The article originally said that east german manufacturers imported nutcrackers to the west, when, of course, they exported them. Mom was careful to teach me about the division between the two germanys. The highest elevation on the saxon side is the 1,215metrehigh fichtelberg, which was the highest mountain in east germany. Seiffen, which became part of east germany, fled across the border to democratic west germany and resumed production. Sep 23, 2014 vintage german nutcracker east germany. The ulbricht family lived in the german erzgebirge until the end of world war ii. Vintage east german ddr nutcracker soldier erzgebirgische volkskunst. Long before the first christian ulbricht nutcrackers were designed the ulbricht family lived in the german erzgebirge until the end of world war ii. East germany is lagging behind on almost every economic indicator. These rounded and shaped mustaches fit a variety of full sized and smaller ulbricht nutcrackers and smokers. I do love my small collection of german nutcrackers.
Nutcracker east german hand carved bavarian hand signed. The name steinbach is recognized all over the world for the unique design of their wood carved steinbach nutcracker. Rich deposits of gold, silver and tin brought prosperity to the region during the 15 th. Holzknackl nutcracker vtg wooden original from the rothenburger weihnachtswer. The decorative nutcracker has been a popular german novelty piece for over 200 years now. 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. Erzgebirge nutcracker with original box vintage german wooden nutcracker figurine christmas holiday decor british guard soldier 16 size thisattic 5 out of. Tchaikovskys popular 1882 ballet the nutcracker made these toys a worldwide symbol of the childhood magic of christmas, but woodcarved nutcracker figurines date back to at least the fifteenth century as a large cottage industry in forested rural areas of germany. German nutcrackers from the erzgebirge region of germany are sought by collectors all over the world. Nutcracker season is upon us, both the beloved christmas ballet and the. The frame workshop displays one of the largest selections of authentic german nutcrackers in wisconsin. The erzgebirge ore mountains is a low mountain range in the east of germany. What difference is there between east and west german.
It was in the village of lauingen on the danube river in bavaria, that he reestablished his company, and eventually handed over the management to his son christian ulbricht in 1968. Great christmas decoration, gift or collectors piece. Gingerbread, candle wax, a yorkville christmas the new. Matthes was originally from the erzgebirge region in sovietcontrolled east germany, but moved to west germany, near stuttgart. I think she felt there was a kind of mystique about east germany. These nutcrackers are from eastern germany before the fall of the wall. Wellmade nutcrackers are practical and collectible. Best place to buy authentic german nutcrackers rick. You are bidding on a 1970s era wooden, vero erzgebirgischer nussknacker nutcracker. In legend, the nutcracker possessed miraculous powers, bringing good fortune and protection from evil spirits. Women, traditionally excluded from the court, are now represented.
Few in the east could afford to buy nutcrackers themselves, so east german woodworkers exported their goods to west germany and its ready. The steinbach family has endured persecution, relocation and a world of other trials in their nearly 200 years of production. It lies in the south of the german state saxonia and nowadays is certainly one of the most beautiful and most traditional regions in germany. After reunification west german businesses bought the east german toy companies. The most common nutcracker is the in the form of a wooden soldier, which weve had for about 200 years now. Kg we are one of the biggest manufacturer of original erzgebirge folk art. After germany was reunited in 1990, christian ulbricht bought back his fathers original company in seiffen.
Our steinbach and christian ulbricht nutcrackers are timeless treasures perfect for a gift or to add to your home or collection. Looking for wonderful shops to find locally made christmas ornamentsdecorations especially german nutcrackers or smo. Ulbricht nutcrackers german nutcracker erzgebirgepalace. Steinbach nutcrackers added a new photo to the album. Interest increased when industrious workers in the old mining area of erzgebirge, formerly part of east germany, saw their metal supplies dwindle in the 1700s and switched to make nutcrackers. He produced items based on nutcrackers, such as bar stools and oversized versions of standard christmas nutcrackers from about 19691990, the bulk of his. The toymakers of seiffen, in postcommunist east germany, are struggling to make ends meet. Few in the east could afford to buy nutcrackers themselves, so east german. See more ideas about german nutcrackers, nutcracker christmas and nutcracker sweet. Oktoberfesthaus firmly believes this to be true and we think every family should have at least one nutcracker to bring your household joy. Vintage wooden nutcracker hunter in green wrifle and rabbit erzgebirge. This region was rich in gold, silver, tin, cobalt, and uranium, as well as timber which was needed to support the ceilings of the mines. Rich deposits of gold, silver and tin brought prosperity to the region during the 15 th17 th century. The history of german nutcrackers starts with a fairy tale.
Ore mountain toy museum in seiffen exhibits in the nutcracker museum in neuhausen ore mountain folk art german. Buy beautiful and authentic german christmas nutcrackers the exclusive online shop for premium handcrafts made in germany. His beard shows discoloration from time, the blue cuffs on his. West germany, however, expanded the nutcracker line. Nutcracker vintage wooden soldier made in german democratic republic. Some of the smokers barbaras collected came from east germany. Money back guarantee ensures you receive the item you ordered or get your money back.
Erzgebirgische volkskunst is a wellknown form of highly artistic wood carving from east germany. The ore mountains contain about thirty summits with a height over 1,000 m above sea level nn, but not all are clearly defined mountains. Side trips to strasbourg, france and salzburg and vienna, austria. The erzgebirge is a low mountain range in the east of germany. They have never been used and are still in their original boxes. I had a nutcracker or two growing up, gaily dressed as soldiers and watching over me as i slept. New in 2020 chimney santa with music limited edition. And even with the nutcrackers prevalence, it can be difficult to find an authentic german nutcracker. New listing antique hand carved bavarian nut cracker wood wooden. Build your familys traditions with that perfect one today. Holzknackl nutcracker vtg wooden original from the rothenburger. Frieburg, munich, up the romantic road to rothenberg, heidleburg.
For over 200 years we have maintained longstanding tradition, passion for detail, creativity and finest materials in our worldfamous nutcrackers. From the earliest beginnings of christianity to the heartache of war to the long held traditions that make the german people some of the greatest craftsmen in the world, the. We especially like the ones from the old east germany with the expertic sticker on the bottom. These traditional german nutcrackers were made in seiffen germany, in the erzgebirge mountains where the wooden nutcracker was first made back in 1872. Buy german christmas nutcracker santa claus 30, 0 cm 12 inches authentic german erzgebirge nutcrackers christian ulbricht. The more elaborate their decorations, the stronger their powers. We only sell original erzgebirge crafts from the german erzgebirge orderhotline. Altogether the mountains extend a length of 90 miles and a width of 25 miles. Erzgebirge wood santa nutcracker expertic 14 gdr east germany vintage christmas. Christmas nutcrackers made in germany wooden nutcracker. Many limited edition nutcrackers are available please see the product description for details. The german erzgebirge ore mountains is a mountain range in eastern germany.
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