German Christmas Smokers, or Räuchermännchen, may look like toys or simple decorations that go on the mantle, but they do more: they are incense burners. Many people collect Räuchermännchen, and this Christmas decoration is pretty common in most German households (like Nutcrackers). What’s fun and collectible about these figures is the variety of Smokers. There are Santas, Brewers, Beekeepers, and Toymakers, all with a pipe in hand or in their mouth. And why? Open up the figure, and you find a platform for a small cone of pungent incense. The cone gets lit, and the smoke comes out of the hole, mimicking pipe smoke and filling your home with delicious smells of pine or Frankincense.
Recently, maybe because fewer people are smoking, woodcarvers have produced other sorts of figures that “smoke” without a pipe, like a Santa House and a dragon!
Dregano Pyramid Christmas Crafts Smoker, Germany
Over the years, I’ve collected a few Smokers. My most recent addition is the vintage Santa with a DDR label. Since the Erzgebirge lie in the former DDR, it totally makes sense, because that is where the story of the German Smoker begins.
What are German Christmas Smokers?
People have treasured incense for thousands of years. This precious commodity was traded and sold for vast sums of money. As precious as gold, the Three Wise Men even presented incense to the infant Jesus as a gift. Historically, people used incense to cleanse evil spirits and make the world a better smelling place. Originally Smokers were made from dough or Paper Mache. In the early 1800s, carvers in the Erzgebirge began carving Räuchermännchen or Smokers to burn incense during the holiday season. They symbolized the gifts brought by the Wise Men on the Epiphany, January 6, and to clear out the spirits of the previous year.
KWO Santa Claus with gift sack, Incense SmokerKäthe Wohlfahrt Store
Christmas Smokers from Germany
Some look like Santa or other Christmas characters, but many are carved to look like everyday people who you would find in a typical German village; a Baker, a Wine Maker, Brewer, or a Fisherman. Some are just made from wood, but others have metal or fur details to make them extra special. Puffs of sweet smelling smoke will come out of the smoker’s mouth… making it look like he’s smoking (generally, they all have pipes to complete the effect).
Dregano Craftsman Incense Smoker Made in GermanyDregano Bee Keeper Incense Smoker Made in GermanyKWO Oktoberfest Bavarian Drinking Beer German Christmas Incense Smoker GermanySeiffener Volkskunst German incense smoker dragon, height 12 cm / 5 inch, original Erzgebirge by SV 19069
German Incense Smoker Santa Claus natural colors – 12,0 cm / 5 inch – Authentic German Erzgebirge Smokers – Christian UlbrichtKWO St. Nicholas Large German Christmas Incense Smoker Handcrafted in GermanyKWO Incense Smoker Gardener, Original from Saxonia, Ore MountainsSeiffener Volkskunst Incense Smoker Erzgebirge Gnome | 16 cm | Ore Mountains Wooden Art Christmas | 12301/1 | Traditional Gnome RedKWO Olbernhau 21608 – Sitting Santa Claus Incense Burner 16 cmMüller German incense smoker Gardener, height 18 cm / 7 inch, original Erzgebirge by Mueller SeiffenChristian Ulbricht Smoker – Forest Man Natural – 36,5 cm / 14.4 inchKWO Wine Taster German Christmas Incense Smoker Wine Lover on Barrel Germany NewChristian Ulbricht Smoker – Gingerbread HouseMüller German incense smoker Santa Claus under candlearch, height 16 cm / 6 inch, original Erzgebirge by Mueller Seiffen
Unlike the fancy nutcrackers that really shouldn’t be used for cracking nuts... a smoker can be used for more than mere decoration. The smokers have a metal plate where a cone of Christmas Incense can be placed to shield the wood from heat damage. They are safe to have around the home, although you should never leave one burning unattended.
(Sadly, over the years, his pipe for my Snowan was lost, so now we just pretend he’s outside breathing cold air).
Many of the best known wood carving companies in the Erzgebirge make Smokers. Steinbach, KWO, Richard Glaesser and Christian Ulbricht. With so many styles to choose from, you can find the perfect smoker for you… and your friends.
These sweet smelling Christmas Decorations can be enjoyed for years to come!
Vintage German Christmas Smokers
Find authentic Vintage German Christmas smokers perfect for the collector.
Erzgebinge Ulbricht Smoker Figure Wood Carved Steinbach Germany Pipe Lantern Hat
Santa Claus Bell Ringer German Incense Smoker Original Erzgebirge Richard Glaesser Seiffen Collectible Traditional Folk Art Never UsedVintage Steinbach Germany Wood Nutcracker Beefeater Guard Christmas Tabletop Decor Original TagGerman Erzgebirge Incense Smoker: Vintage Handcrafted Soldier Guard + Halberd
German Smokers Incense
While the German Smokers Incense Burners are cute as a stand alone piece, to really make them special, you need incense.
Crottendorfer Frankincense Scented Incense Cones, Pack of 24, Made in GermanyKNOX Cinnnamon Scented Incense Cones, Pack of 24, Made in GermanyBoxes German Incense Cones – Christmas ScentKnox Nuremberg German Incense Cones Variety Pack Made Germany Christmas Smokers
See a Smoker in Action Here…
I love your website! It’s very informative.
Do you help identify Rauchermann Incense Smokers by chance?
My mom traveled for work in the 1990s and would buy different souvenirs. I’m trying to identify what some of them are. All I know is this is a Rauchermann Incense Smoker. He’s wearing a green hat and jacket with a red neck tie and has a pipe where the smoke comes out. He’s holding 2 hearts in his left hand, but I’m not sure what the white thing with the initials “HB” is in his right hand (nor what “HB” stands for). Do you happen to know anything about this? I have pictures, but didn’t see a way to upload them.
Thank you in advance!
Hi Brandi… THank you so much!
I am by no means an expert, but I’m happy to take a look. Is there a stamp or label on the bottom?
Could the white thing be a beer mug? HB could stand for Hofbrau.
Send me an email with the photos. [email protected]