In our home everyone is excited when the German Wooden Christmas Pyramids come out of their boxes. We have two in my home… one depicting the Nativity, the other is a band of sweet Angels.
Some Pyramids are large and wildly intricate, depicting multiple scenes on multiple levels. Others are small, simple, and have only a few carved figures. All are beautiful in their own way.
These German Wooden Christmas Pyramids are the type of decoration that will become a family heirloom…. brought out and enjoyed every year for many Christmases to come.
In our house, the kids take turns lighting the candles to send the Pyramid rotating.
&
History of the German Christmas Pyramid
Large German Wooden Christmas Pyramid in Esslingen
German Wooden Christmas Pyramids come from the Erzebirge (Ore Mountains) of Germany. Miners used a simple machine called a Capstan to lift Ore from deep under ground. These wooden Capstans, are “a vertical axeled rotating machine”, which in regular language means… a wheel is turned around, and it turns a vertical axel to lift or move something on the other end. And these principles were used to add movement to the pyramids. First they build larger “Lichtergestelle”, or Light Stands that began as wooden beams topped by Pine Boughs and candles. In time they shrunk them down so they to smaller sizes. These simple constructions brought light and cheer into homes during the dark winter. Basically, the round part at the top turns because of rising heat from candles, and it rotates the center axel, which turns the platform with the figures.
Carved figures were added, depicting everyday life, but also depicting Christian motifs like angels and the Nativity. Today, Holiday scenes are very common on Christmas Pyramids, you will find Santa and Penguins, Children and Snowmen, as well as familiar Manger Scenes.
Christmas Markets in Germany, especially in the Southern parts of Germany, will often display Giant Christmas Pyramids for all to see. They are truly spectacular.
Most common though, are the smaller Christmas Pyramids that you can have in your home. Like the early versions, they add light and joy to the home.
Seiffen Volkskunst
We saw so many German Christmas Pyramids in Seiffen! In Workshops and in the Spielzeugmuseum. There they still make these special decorations by hand. Yes, they cost more, but the quality shows… and they last a lifetime!
At the Spielzeugmuseum, Seiffen
At the Richard Glässer workshop. Assembled and waiting for the Pinwheel
In the Seiffen Kunstwerkstadt. A more Modern Design
Pyramids as Outdoor Decor
My Favorite German Christmas Pyramids have Angels
Richard Glasser Christmas Wooden Pyramids
A long history of quality wood carvings
In 1934 Richard Glasser began carving and selling wooden figurines in the city of Seiffen, in the Erzeberg Mountains of Germany. He wanted to be sure to use the best quality woods, carve friendly figures, but keep them affordable for everyone. He sold the figurines individually, but the best were put into Nativity Scenes or onto Christmas Pyramids.
Today, 130 Employees produce over 800 different items at their workshop in Seiffen. Their Pyramids are probably the most famous, but they also produce Smokers, Nativity Sets and Music Boxes using designs and motifs that have been in use for centuries. The “RG” logo is on every Richard Glaesser product and is a sign for highest quality from the German Erzgebirge. Visiting the workshop was an amazing experience!
And now, there are even mini-pyramids… only 4 inches tall!
Alexander Taron 1603 Richard Glaesser Pyramid-Nativity Scene-10.5
Richard Glässer Seiffen German Christmas Pyramid Snowmen Playing Music, Height 28 cm / 11 inch, Original Erzgebirge by Richard Glaesser SeiffenAuthentic German Erzgebirge Handcraft 1- Tier Mini Pyramid Santa Claus – 4 inch – 10 cm – Richard GlässerRichard Glässer Seiffen German Christmas Pyramid Nativity Scene, 2-Tier, Height 40 cm / 16 inch, Original Erzgebirge by Richard Glaesser Seiffen
Colorful Wooden Pyramids from KWO
KWO is a collective of Erzgebirge wood carving families that produce authentic German Christmas Pyramids and other wooden ornaments. They make traditional and very modern styles of pyramids.
KWO Pyramid Angel Musicians, 21 cm, Wood White/Gold, One SizeKWO Pyramid Nativity, 23 cm, Wood, Natural, 30 x 30 x 23 cm
KWO Pyramid Cherup and Imb, Colour Bog Oak, 26 cm, us:one Size, White1-tier German Christmas Pyramid – Modern natural oak blank – 19cm / 7 inch – KWO
Graupner Christmas Pyramids
These German Wooden Christmas Pyramids are super colorful and fun to watch… especially for children. Because they use tea lights, the candles are easy to replace (and certainly not drippy at all). These little pyramids really are tiny! Only 5 inches tall. But they pack a lot of entertainment and magic into such a small space!
163 – Graupner Pyramid – Holy Family Scene – 5162 – Graupner Pyramid – Angel Scene – 5
German Pyramid Houses are Sweet
These lovely German Pyramid Houses have so much to discover. The big House us 21 inches tall and has singing Angels peek out of upstairs windows. A beautifully carved Nativity scene fills the bottom of the pyramid, surrounded by a spinning scene of Shepherds, Sheep and Wise Men. The detail is incredible.
This is a very special German Nativity Pyramid. With its fantastic and intricate craftsmanship, it is sure to become a family heirloom, passed from generation to generation, delighting your family for years to come. (I got to see it in action in Seiffen!). Wouldn’t this be amazing in your home?
But there are so many other beautiful Pyramid Houses in different sizes and different prices
Volker Zenker Dregano Mini Deer Geman Pyramid Smoking House Made in GermanyBRUBAKER Christmas Pyramid – 19.3 Inches – Designed in GermanyKurt Adler Wood Alpine House Carousel with Candles, 12-Inch
Natural Wooden Pyramids from Christian Ulbricht
The base of most of these natural Pyramids don’t spin around like the others. Instead, you have a smiling Woodsman, or a Happy Snowman Standing in a forest while the pinwheel moves above them. They are a bit smaller, and only require tea lights, so it’s easy to replace the candles. I love the simply painted ones almost as much as the bare natural wood. (In fact, most of the styles come natural or painted) And aren’t those little Angels flying over St Nicholas’s head adorable?
These German Christmas Pyramids are certain to delight the whole family.
1-tier German Christmas Pyramid – Snowman – 19,5cm / 8 inches – Christian UlbrichtChristian Ulbricht Nutcrackers and Smokers Dregano Forest Deer Star Pyramid TeaLight, GermanyAlexander Taron Importer 33-302 Christian Ulbricht Pyramid-Angel Kitchen-10.5Christian Ulbricht 33-200 Pyramid-Woodsman-7.5
German Christmas Pyramids… there really are TOO many to Choose from…
Some of these come packaged WITH CANDLES!
Set of BRUBAKER Christmas Pyramid 4-Tier 24 Inches + 20 Red Candles + Stick-Um Candle AdhesiveBRUBAKER Christmas Pyramid 12 Inches Nativity Play – Christmas Scene ‘Under The Christmas Tree’ – Handpainted Figures – Limited Edition – Designed in GermanyGerman Christmas Decoration Pyramid-21 Inches-with 20pcs Red Candles Included-Wood Nativity Scene -Christmas and Tabletop Holiday Decor-3 Tiers Carousel-6 Candle Holders-German Design (Natural)German Christmas Decoration Pyramid 18 Inches Nativity Scene. Holiday Nativity Carousel.6 Candle Holders. German DesignSet of BRUBAKER Christmas Pyramid 3-Tier 18 Inches + 20 White Candles + Stick-Um Candle Adhesive1-tier German Christmas Pyramid – Deer – 25cm / 10 inch – Dregeno SeiffenMüller German christmas pyramid Christmas story, 4-tier, height 65 cm / 26 inch, natural, original Erzgebirge by Mueller SeiffenBRUBAKER Christmas Pyramid – Nativity Scene with Jesus in a Manger – Designed in Germany1-tier German Christmas Pyramid – German Christmas Angels – 28cm / 11 inch – Dregeno SeiffenUSA SUPREME German Christmas Decoration Pyramid-11 inches with 20 pcs White Candles Included-Wood Nativity Scene -Christmas and Tabletop Holiday Décor -Carousel-German Design (11 Inches)
Vintage Pyramids
I love all the different sizes and styles. Whether you like a colorful pyramid, or natural, modern or old fashioned…. simple or multi-tiered, there is a pyramid for you! Many of these are Vintage.
Vintage Retro German pyramid with hand carved wooden figurines and 4 candles 80s #15
Vintage retro collectible German pyramid with hand painred wooden figurines and 3 candles #7VINTAGE GERMAN PYRAMID #2 – It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!GDR Erzgebirge Pyramid German Revolving Nativity 10” By CaliforniaDreamin4MeVINTAGE GERMAN PYRAMID #1 – It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!small Christmas pyramid wooden pyramid Erzgebirge 80s 90sColourful Kids Christmas Pyramid | Christmas is coming soon
src=”https://easyproductdisplays.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/etsy.png” alt=”Vintage Candle Powered Pyramid Carousel with 3 Angels with Musical Instruments Germany” />
Order A Christmas Pyramid Directly from Germany
Find a great selection of German Christmas Pyramids! (The prices are lower, but the shipping is a bit higher. Still, it often comes out to less)
Wichtelstube-Kollektion Weihnachtspyramide f. Teelicht Winterkinder, 22cm Pyramide WeihnachtenAMAZON.DEHubrig-Volkskunst Pyramiden Großmutters Weihnachtsstube 35 x 25 cmAMAZON.DEWichtelstube-Kollektion Weihnachtspyramide Teelichtpyramide mit Räucherhaus Ski Pyramide Weihnachten für Teelichter, Skifahrer aus dem Erzgebirge Echtholz RäuchermännchenAMAZON.DE
German Christmas Pyramid Candles
The right candles are sometimes hard to find in the United States.
100 pcs Bulk Red Candles for Christmas Tree – Angel Chime Decorations – Christmas Pyramids Carousel – 4 inch X 1/2 inch Diameter – 1.5 Hour Burn Time.Unscented20pcs Candles for Christmas Tree – Angel Chime Decorations – Christmas Pyramids Carousel – 4 inch X 1/2 inch Diameter – 1.5 Hour Burn Time. Unscented -WhiteEika Premium Christmas Tree Candles – Set of 20 Traditional Christmas Wax Candles for Pyramids, Carousels & Chimes – Made in Europe – Solid Colored – RedRichard Glaesser Pyramid Candles – Small (White)
How German Christmas Pyramids WORK
And how to care for them! (Next video will be about “How to clean the wax out of the tablecloth after you stupidly splattered it while blowing out candles after making a Christmas Pyramid video”)
German Christmas Pyramids
I only have one Christmas Pyramid that I bought about 25 years ago and I love it. Some of my decorations get rotated every year because I have so many but this is one that is a must for coming out every year.
These is something magical about them. I always bring out mine too.
I have recently purchased a Christmas Pyramid that has tea light candles. They don’t seem to want to work real well in turning the blades. Is there a certain kind of candle that would work better? The pyramid is beautiful on its own but would love to see it in motion.
Try adjusting the paddles to a 45 degree angle.
Mine does not move at all, and I can’t adjust he paddles because they came pre-glued. The windmill moves easily when pushing or blowing gently, but not with the candles.
hmmm…. but it moves when you blow… are you using the right candles?
I really want to put together one with my family. I cannot find a kit where the pieces are already cut but we can paint/stain and put together. Does anyone know of a source?
I found this one
https://www.erzgebirgepalace.com/Christmas-Pyramids/3-tier-Pyramids/3-Tier-Pyramid-Self-Construction-Set-50-cm-20-inch::8896.html
I need replacement fan blades for a pyramid. Can direct me a store that sells them? They have red star on each blade.
Hi Nancy. Amazon sells replacement parts-> https://amzn.to/4804X27
or try here-> https://christmasfromgermany.com/parts/