Handmade Nutkracker Natural Wood Ornament

The town of Seiffen in Germany is nestled in the heart of the Ore Mountains (German: Erzgebirge) and is famous for producing its handmade wood Christmas toys. With the recession of ore mining in the area several hundred years ago, Seiffen turned to wooden toy manufacturing as a matter of economic survival and has since become known worldwide for the quality of their toys.

The first nut-cracking figures appeared in Berchtesgaden around 1650, and then in Sonneberg from 1735 onwards. The first Ore Mountain nutcracker came into being in the small workshop of Wilhelm Friedrich Füchtner in Seiffen. Here, in the second half of the 19th century it was dressed as a king. Those that followed were also modeled on figures of authority. Gendarmes, kings, soldiers and hunters were produced, all with very stern expressions. They can be seen as a sly dig at the powers that be.

Size: Approximately 3" Tall
Made by: Karl-Heinz Bilz for Dregeno in Seiffen, Germany