Many people use German Nutcrackers as decorations during the Christmas holiday. Still used today there is a very decorative history behind the making and manufacturing of this decorative piece.
The carving of these nutcrackers developed in Germany in the rural forested areas. These nutcrackers were believed to bring good luck to the family it was given to so often this was a gift to protect and bring good health to a family. Legend states that a nutcracker will be representing power and strength and serves as a protector. The Nutcracker believed to be a fierce protector of evil spirits and dangers. It will bear its teeth to the spirits to protect.
It is noted that the nutcracker embodies the “Cycle of Life”.
This is because as the seed of a nut falls on the ground a newer, stronger, and a younger tree will grow to be thousands of years old making the woodworking business thrive.
This legend tells the story of a feast that is celebrated before harvesting the trees where nuts and fruits were eaten to pass on the magic.
The nutcracker is made in a few detailed steps that will have it strong and beautiful to be ready to be introduced into your home to keep tradition strong.
- The first step of making a nutcracker is finding the right wood and cutting it to size.
- Once the wood is cut to size it is shaped into a general shape to make it easier to add detail.
- Third, to make sure all cuts are clean and precise hand turning is used.
- Polishing and drilling is the next step in the process. This process is done by trained professionals that know what they need to do.
- Spraying and drying is the next step to produce a flat surface as well as smooth.
- Hand carving, the most difficult step, will occur next. This will be done by professionals and will make for a long day.
- After the nutcracker is fully carved painting will take place to make it beautiful and original.
It is known that the nutcracker dates to the third/ fourth century. It was made of metal during this time, but the oldest nutcracker was made of metal. During the 18th century, the nutcracker was made of two pieces of wood held together by a leather strap or metal hinge. Since then nutcrackers have come a long way but we owe a lot of thanks to the creator of the nutcracker, Wilhelm Fechner, who created the nutcracker as we know it today in 1872. His design was a little man who had the teeth to protect and bring well being to a home.
Today, people buy nutcrackers mainly for decoration.
However,
…many people still hold the tradition.
Many people still believe that the nutcracker will bring joy, happiness, and well being to a home if given as a gift or brought into your home.
Today nutcrackers come in many different shapes and sizes but the most common is the little man looking nutcracker. Some may be three inches tall and some may be three feet tall. Today these little men are a decoration and sometimes become part of a collection.
The people who still buy and collect nutcrackers today are the older generation. The older generation keeps tradition whereas the younger generation tends to use the nutcracker primarily for decoration and collection. The people who collect nutcrackers may have hundreds in their collection without having them all due to the numerous sizes and shapes they come in today. Whether you are keeping tradition during the holiday season or collecting the nutcracker is an important piece of art that has a beautiful story behind it.
