Craftsmen in the erzgebirge have been making nutcrackers, smokers, carousels, christmas ornaments, and other handcrafts for more than 200 years. Now outside of germany many people became lovers of the nutcrackers, too. Hoffmanns story the nutcracker and the mouse king, which featured a toy soldier nutcracker. Holzknackl nutcracker vtg wooden original from the rothenburger. New listing antique hand carved bavarian nut cracker wood wooden.
The nutcracker ballet greatly popularized the nutcracker. From that point on, the ballet and the german nutcracker itself has become wellknown throughout the world and fans have been demanding high quality german nutcrackers ever since. It seems like companies compete to see who can created the largest or most elaborate variations on the nutcracker theme. As a result, german nutcracker sales and production have been a booming industry in the erzgebirge. The nutcracker doll a history the australian ballet.
Free shipping on many items browse your favorite brands affordable prices. What would erzgebirge folkart be without its nutcrackers. Shchelkunchik listen help info is an 1892 twoact ballet fairy ballet. Hoffman published the nutcracker and the mouse king, a scary fairytale intended only for adults. Often the nutcracker is the image of authorities from the past. While the exact origin of the nutcracker man is unknown, legend goes that a. Enjoy see more ideas about vintage, german nutcrackers and collection. We think of these nutcrackers at christmas time because of this piece. When the holiday ballet became popular in the united states in the early 1950s, demand for nutcrackers increased tremendously.
The key characters within tchaikovskys ballet of the nutcracker fantasy have previously been created in nutcracker figures by several of the worlds premier german makers. Seiffener volkskunst nutcrackers erzgebirge palace. This auction is for a vintage wooden nutcracker made by erzgebirge in germany. Towns like seiffen and annabergbuchholz are full of authentic nutcrackers. There are many designs, including levers, screws, and ratchets. The nutcracker suite is a popular ballet that reflects on the nutcracker soldier. Christmas pyramids and angels can also be found at local christmas markets. Make offer vintage handcrafted erzgebirge wood nutcracker made in germany 9. The soldier nutcrackers that still appear during christmas time were created in the sonneberg and erzgebirge regions of germany in the early 1800s.
A personal story about how i celebrated holidays when i was a kid and how i fell in love with my first nutcracker. It wasnt until the 1800s that this tradition was known worldwide from the release of the tchaikovsky ballet the nutcracker suite in 1892. First look for the word nussknacker, german for nutcracker. Dec 09, 2007 the history of the wooden nutcracker starts in 16th century in germany. Nutcracker dolls originate from late17th century germany, particularly the ore mountains german.
The average handcrafted nutcracker comprises upwards of 60 pieces, and involves up to separate steps for completion. Dec 21, 20 in november, 1997 i travelled to seiffen, germany which is home to the centuries old, worldrenowned, artisan christmas wood working industry. Buy beautiful and authentic german christmas nutcrackers the exclusive online shop for premium handcrafts made in germany. In the moscow ballet version, the setting is in moscow and the citys famous oniondomed skyline is featured as a backdrop. Decorative nutcrackers became popular in the united states after the second world war, following the first us production of the nutcracker ballet in 1940 and the exposure of us soldiers to the dolls during the war. Christian ulbricht has created the mouse king, herr drosselmeyer, clara and the toy solider before, but his current series illustrates the ultimate in german craftsmanship. We only sell original erzgebirge crafts from the german erzgebirge orderhotline.
The history of nutcrackers according to german folklore, nutcrackers were given as keepsakes to bring good luck to your family and protect your home. Since then, german workshops have been busy making similar wooden nutcrackers, especially to meet the demands of u. There is an older plan in hohenhameln in northern germany. We have been collecting them for 20 years and will be adding photos and descriptions of our collection to this website. A reallife nutcracker prince jeremy blanton and his snow queen veronica tennant give the christmas season a fairytale flourishas they sign autographs for youngsters in the opening day audience at okeefe centre after national ballet s annual christmas presentation of the nutcracker.
Get the best deals on erzgebirge nutcracker when you shop the largest online selection at. Nutcrackers free delivery possible on eligible purchases. W hen the san francisco ballet company performed the first complete version of the nutcracker in the u. Nm the history of nutcrackers leavenworth nutcracker museum.
Nutcrackers showed up in germanys erzgebirge region in 1725. About twenty years before tchaikovsky wrote his ballet, in 1865, the fuechtner family produced the first of all decorative nutcrackers using more than a hundred different processes. Vittorio endeavored to make the the arts accessible to children and audiences that may not otherwise have the opportunity to. The history of the nutcracker ballet in america time.
Moscow ballets version of the nutcracker ballet, known as the great russian nutcracker, includes other unique elements in the telling of the traditional holiday tale. Years later, alexander dumas peres version of the story made it happier and more appropriate for children to read. Other estimations like te town seiffen claim the nutcrackers official birth year as 1879. A series of photo clips with narration to tell the story of the nutcracker in a brief synopsis. Apr 15, 2016 these nutcrackers are a good friend of mines collection. I ron lever nutcrackers are shown in the ironworks museum in rouen, france with. Especially kings, soldiers and gendarmes are often used as a model. Learn the connection between nutcracker dolls and the famous nutcracker ballet. A nutcracker is a tool designed to open nuts by cracking their shells. The nutcracker suite became very popular in many countries around the world and helped the erzgebirge nutcracker become just as famous. However, nutcracking devices have had a longstemming evolution for a few thousand years. The strong following of this classic production greatly increased the popularity of collecting nutcrackers in america. A visual history of the nutcracker in 100 photos huffpost. In great condition, with some small marks to the paint finish, see last pic.
Dec 15, 2014 nutcrackers have a long history dec 15, 2014 dec 15, 2014. The history of nutcrackers extends as far back as when humans were cracking and eating nuts, and will continue on into the future for as long as people continue to enjoy natures shelled protein and healthy fat source. The legend says that a nutcracker represents power and strength and serves like a trusty watch dog guarding your family from evil spirits and danger. The nutcracker was first developed around 1870 and is nowadays one of the most famous representatives of the erzgebirge.
The leavenworth nutcracker museum shows a bronze roman nutcracker dated between 200 b. Nutcrackers were mainly popular in germany to begin with, and were crafted in the erzgebirge mountain regions. That first nutcracker simply had two levers and did, in fact, aid in opening the shells of nuts. The erzgebirge nutcracker scene has gotten a little crazy since the nutcracker ballet has gotten so popular. The origin of the nutcracker, a classic christmas story, is a fairy tale ballet in two acts centered on a familys christmas eve celebration. A unique history of nutcrackers featuring the in a nutshell infographic. The christmas nutcracker got popular in the united states during the 1950s for a few reasons.
At christmas time, stores fill their shelves in the yuletide section with wooden toy soldier nutcrackers depicting the character so loved in the nutcracker ballet, which was first performed in russia in 1892. Herr steinbach, in his own unique way, altered this tradition and raised the nutcrackers to a different level. While it is fairly easy to find a nutcracker at christmasthemed stores and toy shops around the world, chances of finding a specific model are increased by looking online like on ebay. See more ideas about nutcracker christmas, nutcracker sweet and german nutcrackers.
Wooden christmas decorative nutcrackers for sale ebay. History of the nutcracker the antiques divathe antiques diva. The steinbach company or, steinbach gmbh vereinigte werkstaetten deutscher volkskunst, maintains two production workshops to produce its beautiful and whimsical nutcrackers. The most popular origin story of nutcrackers in germany is that a wealthy farmer. I ron lever nutcrackers are shown in the ironworks museum in rouen, france with some dating back to the th century, and brass nutcrackers are known to have existed in the 14th and. Nutcrackers are a huge part of christmas decorating. Watch through this 10 minute video and you will see. The rest, we might say, is history, so far as the success of the ballet and tchaikovskys music is concerned. Erzgebirge palace lights on lights off the steinbach nutcracker company had been family owned for 5 generations and the steinbach brand has become by far the most popular nutcracker company in many parts of the world. A wellknown type portrays a person whose mouth forms the jaws of the nutcracker, though many of these are meant for decoration. The ballet became very popular in the united states in the early 1950s and ignited the passion for these fascinating creatures. See more ideas about german nutcrackers, nutcracker christmas and nutcracker sweet. The ballet has contributed significantly to the popularity of the german erzgebirge nutcrackers because it has spread the look of the nutcracker around the world.
The academic technique itself is also known as ballet. Collecting nutcrackers explore the nutcracker tradition. Tchaikovsky also honored the erzgebirge holzkunst by making the solider hero of claras dream a german nutcracker. German traditional gifts handmade wooden art from the erzgebirge in germany. We offer more than 550 christmas pyramids, candle arches, nutcrackers and smokers. Dance channel tv provides a colorful, detailed history of the origins of the nutcracker as we know it today. The ballet, introduced to america during the mid20th century, became a favorite holiday tradition across the united states and helped make nutcracker dolls a christmas decoration and a seasonal icon across western culture. Buy german christmas nutcracker santa claus 30, 0 cm 12 inches authentic german erzgebirge nutcrackers christian ulbricht. Choose a different manufacturer or show all products within this category. Great condition items in the worthopedia are obtained exclusively from licensors and partners solely for our members research needs. In the united states, few of the decorative nutcrackers are now functional, though expensive working designs are still available. In addition to the ballet helping christmas nutcrackers take off, soldiers serving in germany bought them at markets. But nutcrackers arent the only things being sold in this area.
Further popularization came from pyotr ilyich tchaikovskys the nutcracker, a ballet adaptation of e. Get the best deals on erzgebirge nutcracker when you shop the largest. To best get the story, it is highly suggested to attend a live. Large nutcracker is standing with a play horse around his middle. One origin story attributes the creation of the first nutcracker doll to a craftsman from seiffen. Authentic german christmas nutcrackers erzgebirge palace. Going to see this ballet became an annual tradition for many. Moscow ballet s acclaimed great russian nutcracker is a holiday tradition in households across north america, and has been enjoyed by prominent figures, including former first family barack and michelle obama, a memory she retells in her 2018 bestselling memoir becoming. Traditional nutcrackers can be found all over germany, but especially in the erzgebirge region. Erzgebirge clara nutcracker ballet, german vintage. First, as the ballet started to gain more traction moving from europe to the u. The design was perfected in the erzgebirge region near the ore mountains in.
Sue collected them over a number of yearsfrom the late 1970s through the 1980. Our manufactures mueller gmbh and seiffener volkskunst eg are member of the erzgebirge association of craftsmen and toymakers e. Pyotr tchaikovskys the nutcracker ballet also increased the. Get the best deals on christmas nutcracker decorative nutcrackers when you shop the largest online selection at. We only sell original erzgebirge crafts from the german erzgebirge. This included making handmade german nutcrackers, smokers, and cuckoo clocks. By teh way, seiffen in germany was home to many of the worlds most famous.
See more ideas about nutcracker christmas, christmas and christmas decorations. Hollywood pink ballet scepter wooden 15 inch christmas nutcracker ha0234 new 5 out of 5 stars 2 product ratings 2 product ratings hollywood pink ballet scepter wooden 15 inch christmas nutcracker. It was defined as often in the form of a misshaped little man, in whose mouth the nut, by means of a leaver or screw, is cracked open. Nutcracker suite fantasy by christian ulbricht germany. And even with the nutcrackers prevalence, it can be difficult to find an authentic german nutcracker. When tchaikovskys ballet the nutcracker suite premiered in 1892, the popularity of nutcrackers spurted tremendously. The german nutcracker was also the hero in hoffmans fairy tale nutcracker and mouse king, upon which the timeless tchaikovsky ballet was based.
They were often given as gifts, and at some point they became associated with christmas season. The magic and mystery of the ballet has intrigued and enchanted audiences year after year. Dec 09, 2011 a special item shoppers might look for now at christmas markets is the nutcracker. The history of the wooden nutcracker starts in 16th century in germany. The very first nutcracker, long before the german erzgebirge nutcrackers that are so popular today, was crafted. A unique history of nutcrackers featuring the in a nutshell. Where did the first nutcrackers come from christkindlmarkt. Ballet, theatrical dance in which a formal academic dance techniquethe danse decoleis combined with other artistic elements such as music, costume, and stage scenery. The nutcracker ballet is a holiday tradition, but how did it begin. This plant was opened after the steinbach family moved from the erzgebirge region at the end of world war ii. Suddenly, the dancers had a properly resilient, springy dance floor under their feet, a deeper stage with much more dancing room and theatrical accoutrements that opened new production possibilities and enhanced the stage picture for the audience.
Today, many people collect themed nutcrackers, displaying them. History of nutcrackers in germany global history blog. It was found in 1960 after being buried for over 1800 years. Our story begins deep in the ore mountains, those shadowy, forested peaks that form a natural borderland between germany and the czech. The most common nutcracker is the in the form of a wooden soldier, which weve had for about 200 years now. But a popular ballet is one thing, meeting the market for nutcrackers quite another. The first nutcrackers, created mainly in the erzgebirge, depicted images of kings, military officers, and other prominent members of the upper classes. My family loves seeing the nutcracker ballet each year, but what exactly is.
The history of nutcrackers extends as far back as when humans were cracking and eating nuts, and will continue on into the future for as long as people continue to. By noreen malone for most people, christmas nutcrackers the kind that look like little men call to mind sugarplum fairies and first trips to the ballet. Nutcracker vintage wooden soldier made in german democratic republic. German nutcrackers really crack nuts 100% handmade. Nutcracker has a lovely colors of silver, white and cream with fun details like the jeweled crown, and sweet horse with marabou feather accents.
Hoffmann was set to music by tchaikovsky and originally choreographed by marius. Dec 06, 2018 collecting nutcrackers explore the nutcracker tradition at christmas time, stores fill their shelves in the yuletide section with wooden toy soldier nutcrackers depicting a character in the nutcracker ballet. Rare vintage expertic original erzgebirge wood nutcracker. Standing wooden nutcrackers in the form of soldiers and kings were shown in the sonneberg and erzgebirge regions of germany by 1800 and in 1830, the term nussknacker appeared in the dictionary of the brothers grim. The origin of this wooden figurine goes back to the 17th century in the erzgebirge, a mountain area near the czech border. One origin story attributes the creation of the first nutcracker doll to. Learn more about the history of ballet in this article. About twenty years before tchaikovsky wrote his ballet, in 1865, the. The very first nutcracker, long before the german erzgebirge nutcrackers that are so popular today, was crafted by the greek aristotle who was seeking to invent a device to aid in the cracking of nut shells. As a result, german nutcracker sales and production have been a booming industry in the erzgebirge mountain regions of germany. Read on to learn more about the history of the nutcracker and how they evolved into todays form.
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