History of German Nutcrackers- Get a Nutcracker for Your Home!

The History of German Nutcrackers is tied up in a Fairy Tale…

Once upon a time, a farmer offered a reward for anyone who could help him easily open the Walnuts from his tree. A Carpenter said he should saw them open. A Soldier told him he should SHOOT the nuts (I can’t imagine what he thought would be left of the nut…). Finally, a puppet maker brought him a brightly painted wooden doll with a strong jaw designed to crack the nuts. The Farmer was delighted! And rewarded the puppet maker with his own workshop.

And a cottage industry was born.

German Christmas Nutcracker Santa Claus – 30,0 cm / 12 inches – Authentic German Erzgebirge Nutcrackers – Christian Ulbricht

History of German Nutcrackers

German Nutcrackers in the shape of Soldiers or Kings have been in use since the 15th century! The unsmiling figures are thought to be lucky and provide protection for the household as they stand sentry on the mantle. The most famous Nutcrackers come from Sonneberg in Thuringia and the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains). The Erzgebirge originally made money from mining, but as the mines played out, miners used their woodworking skills to create toys and Christmas figurines sold at Christmas Markets across Germany. A “good” Nutcracker could be made from up to 130 carefully assembled pieces! Originally, the jaws were strong enough to crack walnuts. Today’s Nutcrackers are more decorative, but they are only good for peanuts. (And if the Nutcracker belongs to my mother… You better not DARE put any nuts in its mouth!)

Nutcrackers are still assembled by hand in Seiffen

Steinbach Nutcrackers

The Steinbach family was instrumental in spreading the popularity of Nutcrackers. In the beginning, most looked fairly similar… soldier, knight, king. Herr Steinbach decided to create Nutcrackers based on German Folklore or famous leaders from around the world. Then came the brilliant idea of “limited edition” Nutcrackers. The first was King Ludwig II, and only 3000 were made. This marketing plan of scarcity made collectors mad to acquire these special pieces.

Nutcracker collecting became a huge hobby for many who appreciated the hand-carved and hand-painted Nutcrackers. In the 1950s, the hobby spread beyond Germany.

Steinbach Volkskunst GmbH Nutcracker – Autumn Santa – 43 cm / 16.9 inch

Nutcrackers in America

Today, Nutcrackers are a common Christmas decoration here in the US, but how did that happen? In the 1950s, Soldiers stationed in Germany started visiting the Christmas Markets. They were captivated by these brightly painted wood “Soldier” Nutcrackers and brought them home. Right around that time, Tchaikovsky’s ballet, The Nutcracker Suite, was becoming a popular Christmas Event, and so demand for Nutcrackers skyrocketed! Sadly, the increased demand means the market is flooded with cheap knock-offs from China., and the Steinbach family company, after over 250 years of creating hand-crafted works of art, declared bankruptcy and shut its doors for good in 2016. They have since reopened!

Today, Nutcrackers come in a wide range of styles… from the classic Red Soldier to a Camouflage Soldier... from the Nutcracker Ballet to Green Bay Football Nutcrackers. Whatever you choose, you can be sure that this little work of art will give you much enjoyment as it watches over your family during the holidays.

German Christmas Nutcracker King red – 27,5 cm / 11 inches – Authentic German Erzgebirge Nutcrackers – Christian Ulbricht Kurt Adler Hollywood Nutcracker Suite Nutcracker, 19-Inch

Steinbach Wooden Big Nutcracker for Christmas, U.S. Army Soldier, 17.25

Where to Buy German Nutcrackers

Steinbach Nutcrackers

Steinbach Nutcrackers come in a range of styles… from the tall slim to the shorter rounded “troll” style. For over 200 years the Steinbach company made quality nutcrackers in the Ore Mountains of Germany. After the death of Christian Steinbach, the company fell into Bankruptcy. Fortunately, the company was saved by Rico Paul and Robert Liebich, who continue the company with many of the same employees, and the same devotion to quality.

Steinbach Chubby Oktoberfestler Nutcracker Steinbach Wooden Big Nutcracker Collection, White Christmas Santa, 17.7 Kurt Adler 17-inch 12 Days of Christmas Musical Nutcracker Steinbach Nutcracker Chubby Santa Claus Natural – Christmas Decorations Indoor – Collector’s Item – Home Decor – Made in Germany – 10.63 inch Steinbach Chubby Nutcracker Collection, Gingerbread Baker, Multicolored, 12 Steinbach Wooden Mountain Hunter Nutcracker, 18.11in Steinbach Wooden Nutcracker, German Christmas Decoration, Santa Comes Around Part 2, 18

Christian Ulbricht Nutcrackers

In 1928, Christian Ulbricht’s father Otto founded the Ulbricht‘s Workshop for Fine Wooden Crafts and Toys in the small town Seiffen, in the heart of the Ore Mountains. Although the family moved to the west after the War, in 1990, his son Christian Ulbricht brought the company back to its original home in the Erzgebirge. Today, “the family and their team create traditional wooden art that brings joy to grown-ups and children alike. And in every single piece the spirit of Christmas is alive.”

0-864 – Christian Ulbricht Premium Nutcracker – Golden Dreams Santa – 18 Christian Ulbricht Nutcracker – Night Watch Man, Natural – 36 cm / 14.2 inch Alexander Taron 0-773 Christian ULBRICHT Nutcracker-Trapper Natural German Christmas Nutcracker Black Forester with Cuckoo Clock – 27,0cm / 10.6inch – Christian Ulbricht

Kurt Adler Nutcrackers

The Kurt Adler company has been exporting German Christmas decorations to America for over 70 years. In the 1980’s, they introduced Nutcrackers to their line of goods… and added a twist! They sell “classic” Nutcrackers, as well as re-invented Nutcrackers like “Wizard Nutcracker” and “the Wine Grower Nutcracker.”

Kurt Adler HA0339 18 Kurt Adler 16-Inch Wooden Gingerbread Christmas Nutcracker Kurt Adler 18-Inch Hollywood Gold King Nutcracker Kurt Adler HA0330 15

Vintage Nutcrackers

There are lots of beautiful Vintage Nutcrackers looking for a home

Vintage Christmas Nutcracker Wooden Ornament, 11.8in Wooden Nutcracker Vintage Nutcrackers Made in Germany Steinbach “The Wizard of Oz” German Nutcracker Limited Edition W/Tags 17”Vintage Erzgebirge Nutcracker Natural Wood Tan Brown 16 Vintage Erzgebirge Soldier * Made in German East * Germany Holiday Nutcracker * 13 1/2 inch * Christmas 112014269 Erzgebirge nutcracker, large vintage nutcracker, motif: pilot, original Kaden & Straco, Erzgebirge wood art, in original packaging, TOP

karenanne

6 thoughts on “History of German Nutcrackers- Get a Nutcracker for Your Home!”

Myriam says:

November 19, 2017 at 4:11 am

Hi? I’m looking for groups of nutcracker collectors in FB, csn you help?

Reply
1. karenanne says:
  
  November 20, 2017 at 10:41 am
  
  Have you seen this group?
  https://www.facebook.com/groups/nutcrackercollectors/
  
  Reply
  1. John Ranes II says:
    
    April 23, 2018 at 11:08 am
    
    Indeed…this is a very good group of German folkart and nutcracker collectors from around the world…. JER
    
    Reply
John Ranes II says:

April 23, 2018 at 11:07 am

Although the Steinbach nutcracker may be the most well known German brand in the U.S. it is actually not very well known in Germany. In Germany, collectors are mostly concerned that the nutcracker was actually made in the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) region of Saxony. Ulbricht, Steinbach, KWO, Müller, Erzgebirgeische Volkskunst, Richard Glässer and more all produce wooden nutcrackers in this region. BTW – Although the Steinbach firm went bankrupt in 2015, then were revived in 2016 and do currently produce nutcrackers including new designs.

Reply
Gundula says:

December 10, 2021 at 7:52 pm

i am looking for a female nutcracker! can anyone help me out?

Reply
1. karenanne says:
  
  December 12, 2021 at 9:24 am
  
  I found a few here… https://amzn.to/31RBmM3
  and Etsy has this https://tidd.ly/3dHC6pg
  
  Reply