I love how 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.
&
&
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 out of Sonneberg in Thuringia, and from the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains). The Erzgebirge originally made money from mining… but as the mines played out, miners used their wood-working skills to create toys and Christmas figurines that were sold at Christmas Markets around 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, 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 for acquiring 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 – Nativity Santa – 45 cm / 17.7 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 then 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 re-opened!
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 UlbrichtKurt 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 Nutcracker Santa Comes Around Part 3 – Limited Edition Nutcracker – Christmas Decorations Indoor – Home Decor – Made in Germany – 17.72 inchSteinbach Wooden Big Nutcracker Collection, German Christmas Decoration, Mountain Skier, 20.9Steinbach Ore Miner Mini Nutcracker, 3.5 inchSteinbach Chubby Nutcracker Collection, Alphorn Player, 12
Steinbach Kurt Adler Limited Edition 12 Days of Christmas Musical Pear Tree Santa Nutcracker, MultiSteinbach Chef with The Pot
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.”
Christian Ulbricht Red Soldier with Rifle NutcrackerAlexander Taron 0-773 Christian ULBRICHT Nutcracker-Trapper Natural
0-864 – Christian Ulbricht Premium Nutcracker – Golden Dreams Santa – 18Christian Ulbricht Premium Nutcracker – Candy SantaChristian Ulbricht Nutcracker – Night Watch Man, Natural – 36 cm / 14.2 inch
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 18Kurt Adler 19-Inch Hollywood Wine NutcrackerKurt Adler 16-Inch Wooden Gingerbread Christmas NutcrackerKurt Adler 18-Inch Hollywood Gold King NutcrackerKurt Adler HA0330 15
Vintage Nutcrackers
There are lots of beautiful Vintage Nutcrackers looking for a home
Vintage Erzgebirge Nutcracker Natural Wood Tan Brown 16″ Soldier
intage Erzgebirge King Soldier * Made in Germany * KWO Old World Christmas * Holiday Nutcracker * 7 5/8 * ChristmasErzgebirge Nutcracker HunterRare Vintage German Erzgebirge Christmas Wooden nutcracker fireman/ Great gift or keep it for your holiday decor. Handmade nutcracker.
Vintage Erzgebirge Soldier * Made in German East * Germany Holiday Nutcracker * 13 1/2 inch * Christmas 112014269Vintage Erzgebirge German Chimney Sweep Nutcracker Made in Germany
Hi? I’m looking for groups of nutcracker collectors in FB, csn you help?
Have you seen this group?
https://www.facebook.com/groups/nutcrackercollectors/
Indeed…this is a very good group of German folkart and nutcracker collectors from around the world…. JER
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.
i am looking for a female nutcracker! can anyone help me out?
I found a few here… https://amzn.to/31RBmM3
and Etsy has this https://tidd.ly/3dHC6pg