Show Me Christmas

The most beautiful wooden articles in the world come from the Erzgebirge region of Germany.  The earliest wooden products were simple ones, easily made.  But as time passed, the pieces became more sophisticated.  German smokers or smoking men and the smell of incense belong to the Erzgebirge Christmas just like the German nutcracker.  An important component in the development of the German smoker was the use of frankincense.  In the Christmas tradition, frankincense was next to gold and myrrh, one of the presents the three kings brought to the baby Jesus.

The nutcracker traditionally represented officers and other officials but the smokers represented everyday people such as miners, shephards, chimney sweepers and other traditional German occupations.  

Today, in the Erzgebirge Mountains, the tradition of creating beautiful wooden folk art is much unchanged from 100 years ago.  New models are devised each year, however the tradition of the Erzgebirge handcrafted product is the same. 

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