In our home, everyone is excited when the German Christmas Pyramids come out of their boxes. We have two in my home: one depicting the Nativity and the other a band of sweet Angels. A German Christmas Pyramid Carousel is a wooden decoration with fins or paddles on the top that attach to a central pin. The candles set around the sides send hot air up to the paddles, causing them to spin, which spins the central scene. In our house, the kids take turns lighting the candles to send the Pyramid rotating.It’s fantastically low-tech! Kids are mesmerized, and even adults will stop and watch. Some Pyramids are large and wildly intricate, depicting multiple scenes on multiple levels. Others are small and simple, with only a few carved figures. All are beautiful in their way.
These German Christmas Pyramids are the type of decoration that will become a family heirloom, enjoyed year after year.
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Large German Wooden Christmas Pyramid in Esslingen
History of the German Christmas Pyramid
German Wooden Christmas Pyramids come from the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) of Germany. Miners used a simple machine called a Capstan to lift Ore from deep underground. These wooden Capstans are “a vertical axeled rotating machine”, which in regular language means that a wheel is turned around, and it turns a vertical axle to lift or move something on the other end. Wood Carvers used these engineering principles to add movement to the pyramids. First, they built larger “Lichtergestelle”, or Light Stands, that began as wooden beams topped by Pine Boughs and candles. In time, they shrunk them down so they fit smaller sizes. These simple constructions brought light and cheer into homes during the dark winter. Basically, the round part at the top turns due to rising heat from the candles, and it rotates the center axle, which in turn turns the platform with the figures.
Carved figures, depicting everyday life, but also depicting Christian motifs like angels and the Nativity, decorate the pyramids. Today, Holiday scenes are common on Christmas Pyramids, so that 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 Richard Glässer workshop. Assembled and waiting for the Pinwheel
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 Erzgebirge Mountains of Germany. He wanted to use the best quality woods, carve friendly figures, and keep them affordable. He sold the figurines individually, but the best were put into Nativity Scenes or onto Christmas Pyramids.
Today, 130 Employees produce over 800 items at their Seiffen workshop. Their Pyramids are probably the most famous, but they also produce Smokers, Nativity Sets, and Music Boxes using designs and motifs that have been used for centuries. The “RG” logo is on every Richard Glaesser product and is a sign of the highest quality from the German Erzgebirge. Visiting the workshop was an eye-opening experience!
Alexander Taron 1603 Richard Glaesser Pyramid-Nativity Scene-10.5
Richard 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
German Pyramid Houses are Sweet
These lovely German Pyramid Houses have so much to discover. The Big House is 21 inches tall and has singing Angels peeking 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. Its fantastic and intricate craftsmanship will surely 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 prices.
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Richard Glässer Seiffen German Pyramid Bavaria with House, Height 29 cm / 11 inch, Original Erzgebirge by Richard Glaesser SeiffenISDD German pyramid angel bakery with house, height 29 cm/11 inch, original Erzgebirge by Richard Glaesser SeiffenBRUBAKER Christmas Pyramid – Holy House – 19.3 Inches – Wooden Rotating Christmas Decoration Nativity Play – Hand-Painted Figures – Designed in GermanyRichard Glaesser Santa giving out Gifts Christmas House Pyramid, 36cm/14in,
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, GermanyChristian Ulbricht 33-200 Pyramid-Woodsman-7.5
German Christmas Pyramids! There really are so many to Choose from.
Some of these come packaged WITH CANDLES, you will also find candles below.
Christmas Forest Holiday PyramidJ. Peterman CompanyBlue Christmas PyramidJ. Peterman Company
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)Set 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 Seiffen
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.
RG Erzgebirgische Germany Wooden German Christmas Nativity Pyramid
Vintage Erzgebirge Christmas Pyramid Candle or Wind Power Choir Men 14″ Works Watch VideoVintage German Christmas Nativity pyramid, 1970sPyramid from the Ore Mountains Christie birth with shepherd and sheep old GDR timesVintage German Erzebirge Christmas Pyramid Wood Rotating Candle WindmillKATHE WOHLFAHRT PYRAMID Holy History Windmill Muller Tealight Candle 9 Blades Erzgebirge Vintage Christmas Germany Box Collector Lover Gift
Vintage Retro German pyramid with hand carved wooden figurines and 4 candles 80s #15
Order A Christmas Pyramid Directly from Germany
Find a great selection of German Christmas Pyramids! (The prices are lower, but the shipping this year is higher.)
Erzgebirge-Palast 2-Tier Pyramid Nativity – Exclusive – 28 cm / 11 inchAMAZON.DEErzgebirge-Palast 2-Tier Pyramid Winter Children – Exclusive – 28 cm / 11 inchAMAZON.DESeiffener Volkskunst Christmas Pyramid Tea Light Arch Pyramid 18 cm Pyramid Modern Folk Art from the Ore Mountains 16264 Christmas Gnome with SleighAMAZON.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.UnscentedEika 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?
It’s important to use quality tea lights that have a long enough wick and quality wax, thus burning hotter. The cheap dollar store tea lights will probably not generate enough heat. Many of the manufacturers also sell candle converters that allow you to use a regular pyramid candles instead of tea lights.
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/