The history of the nutcracker
Nuts have always been a popular treat, especially at Christmastime. However, their hard shell is often a challenge. This is where the nutcracker comes in, an indispensable tool to expose the delicious kernels. But nutcrackers are much more than just practical helpers: they are also ornate decorative objects with a long tradition.
How a nutcracker works
There are different types of nutcrackers, all of which serve the same purpose: cracking nuts. A good nutcracker opens the hard shell of a nut with minimal effort and without damaging the kernel. The mechanics behind it are as fascinating as they are simple: leverage, force and pressure play a key role. Pliers and lever nutcrackers use two arms connected to one another at points in order to exert pressure on the nut shell, the movable lever arm being designed as a handle at its rear and as part of the mouth fixing the nut in the conventional lever nutcracker at the front. In a screw nutcracker, a plunger-like screw exerts pressure on the nut, breaking the shell.
The variety of nutcrackers
While in some cases, the mere functionality characterises the appearance, the figurative, turned nutcrackers from the Erzgebirge also achieved worldwide fame as decorative wooden figures to be displayed. Once you start looking into nutcrackers, you enter a large, multifaceted universe.
The birth of the Erzgebirge nutcracker
Figurative and purely functional nutcrackers have been found in various regions of Europe, especially in Switzerland, France, Austria and Germany, since olden times. In the Erzgebirge, wood only became an important source of income after the decline
of mining from the mid-18th century. The number of full-time woodturners increased rapidly and the triumphant conquest of the Erzgebirge nutcrackers began. Trained carpenter Wilhelm Friedrich Füchtner is considered to be the father of this special type. Around 1870, he created the first prototype of a king with a turned body, nose, arms and feet shaped from dough and with hair and beard from rabbit fur, whose mining hat with painted golden turrets became the crown.
Popular nutcracker figures
The early nutcrackers represented typical authority figures, officials and dignitaries such as soldiers, firemen, policemen or foresters. They are still amongst the most popular classical motifs, with the king in particular being the most popular decorative nutcracker in the Christmas season, in his elegant gala uniform with the golden sceptre and stylised crown. However, there is no limit to the variety of motifs now, with their characteristic, fierce-looking facial features and detailed hand painting making them sought-after collectors’ items. Nutcrackers are now available in many colours and sizes. At Christmas markets you can even admire metre-high models, which are often symbolic of the Advent and Christmas season.
The nutcracker tradition at Käthe Wohlfahrt
Käthe Wohlfahrt’s primary objective is the preservation of traditional craftsmanship, but the further development of its motifs is also important. In our shops you will find a wide range of high quality nutcrackers in many different designs and sizes. The Exklusive Edition, which is produced in cooperation with traditional companies from the Erzgebirge and is only available from Käthe Wohlfahrt, is particularly popular.
Nutcrackers not only accompany you through the Christmas season - they are very special eye-catchers all year round. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of nutcrackers and discover the living tradition of craftsmanship. We hope you have lots of fun browsing and decorating!
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