The Erzgebirge Christmas Figurine Buying Guide
One of the most special art forms to come from the Erzgebirge in Germany is the art of making figurines from wood. This is a tradition passed down from generation to generation, and these loved figurines are still entirely made by hand today. There are over 500 different figurines to choose from that all have special meaning in Germany’s past. Today we share some of our favourites with you and the meaning behind each one.
A Brief History of Erzgebirge Wooden Crafts
Erzgebirge holds a special place in German history and is where the art form of making wooden handicrafts began. This region is called the Ore Mountains because mining silver, tin, and precious metals boomed here in the 12th century. Later in the 17th century, mining slowed, and the people who lived in the region had to find creative ways to make money. Since wood was plentiful, the villagers started woodworking and making figurines that depict daily life in Germany. Many of these figures were religious motifs like nativity scenes or had to do with Christmas celebrations. The wooden toys and figurines made Erzgebirge in the Saxony region of Germany famous. Seiffen is the most famous town for wooden crafts, which produces the most wooden toys, figurines, and Christmas decorations in the area. If you can’t visit their workshop in Germany, we can bring handmade wooden figurines to you with our online shop!
Why Buy Erzgebirge Christmas Figurines
Not only do our Erzgebirge figurines and Christmas decorations make perfect gifts, some people like to collect these every year to have on display during the holidays or all year long. Collecting wooden figurines can be a fun, and entertaining hobby as these are often more affordable than other collector’s items. There are more than just Christmas motifs and figures, so you can collect any that hold a special and sentimental meaning to you. When buying wooden Erzgebirge crafts, you support the tradition of handmade art, which holds a special place in Germany. To make sure you are buying a genuine Erzgebirge product, look for manufacturers that are members of the Erzgebirge Association of Craftsmen and Toymakers e.V. Now, let’s talk about some of the most famous figurines available.
Incense Smoker Figurines
An incense smoker is a fun wooden figurine where you place an incense cone inside the main body, light the incense, and then the nice-smelling smoke billows out of the figurine. We have over 300 incense smokers to choose from, not all of which are Christmas-related. Choose from a quirky Santa Claus on a tractor or a snowman in sunglasses, or one of our more classic snowman or a Christmas gnome with a sledge full of gifts. For a less traditional design that is great for kids, choose an animal incense smoker that they love — find a penguin, cat, dragon, bumblebee, duck, and more all on our website. You can also find many incense smokers displaying professions your loved ones have — gardener, doctor, postman, nurse, chef, lawyer, mechanic, artist, teacher, and more. Whichever you choose will be loved for years to come. These are also small enough to go as stocking stuffers.
Christmas Carolers Figurines
A popular item for the holidays is our Christmas carolers figurines that you can display around the house. Choose from several packs of five caroler figurines made by hand with wood from the Erzgebirge region. Carolers are also a popular scene in Christmas pyramids and Christmas candle arches, making lovely gifts around the holidays.
The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker has become synonymous with Christmas time, making them a lovely gift for the holidays. They originated in Germany, and their popularity grew in the 19th century with the release of the Tchaikovsky ballet “The Nutcracker.” Each piece of the nutcracker is made by hand, from the detailed carving to the painting and assembling of each part of the figurine. Do not settle for an imitation knockoff that isn’t made by hand in the Erzgebirge region. To learn more about the special nutcracker, visit our blog.
Christmas Village Figurines
A traditional scene found on display in Erzgebirge crafts is Christmas village figurines like the one pictured above in a candle arch. This depicts the village of Seiffen, where it’s Christmas every day of the year. If you ever want to see how wooden crafts are made, visit the workshops in Seiffen and see the magic happen right before your eyes. No matter which figurine you choose for yourself or a loved one, these unique gifts will be treasured year after year.
