So much of the holiday season is about anticipating the joy to come. But Christmas is also a time to remember our connection to the people and the stories that make up our past. Sometimes it’s remembered in the objects we cherish – those heirlooms passed down and shared from one generation to another.
Wooden pyramids and incense smokers are two familiar and valued Christmas collectibles for many families. They share a similar origin – born in the famed Erzgebirge region of Germany – and have a prominent place in our Christmas Shop today.
The Legendary Erzgebirge
Centuries ago, Erzgebirge – a beautiful, forest-covered region in southeast Germany – was a productive mining region where industrious miners pulled precious resources such as tin, silver, and cobalt from the surrounding mountains. In their down time, the miners utilized another abundant natural resource – top quality wood from local forests – to create simple, hand-carved tools for the home and toys for amusement too.
But when the mining industry dwindled in the 19th century, the miners were forced to find new ways to support themselves and their economy. Drawing on their already famous woodworking skills, the people of the Erzgebirge began creating hand-carved wooden folk-art pieces, which they sold across the region. Generations have passed, but the Erzgebirge traditions – honoring local customs, quality workmanship, and boundless creativity – continue to shape the exquisite, handcrafted items that come from that region today.
Christmas Pyramids // bringing light to the darkness
Turning slowly with the rising heat of candlelight, the intricate Christmas pyramid is one collectible with roots deep in the Erzgebirge mining culture. Working underground with no natural light, the miners would tie together several wooden sticks and decorate these structures with candles. The warmth and light were comforts after hours in the dark, damp mines. They called these creations Lichtergestelle, or light stands, and legend says they were the original inspiration for today’s Christmas pyramids and maybe even the Christmas tree.
As the centuries passed, pyramids became more elaborate, including intricately carved people, animals, and other details to tell the story of the nativity or maybe just the stories of everyday people in their local villages. Today’s designs vary in size from simple tabletop decorations to larger display pieces like the amazing five-tier wonder we have in our Christmas Shop this year. Our pyramids are made by the Richard Glässer company – a highly respected maker in the Erzgebirge region.
German Incense Smokers // charming protection for the home
Another popular folk-art tradition to come out of the Erzgebirge woodworking region is the Räuchermen, or German incense smoker. According to German tradition, burning incense serves to both bless the home and to ward off ill-tempered spirits during the Rauhnächte, the longest night of the year.
Representing local folks in working-class pursuits like baking, gardening, wood-carving – and even patronizing the local beer garden – these charming characters honor the humble, hardworking people of the Erzgebirge. Our smokers are from KWO, another quality Erzgebirge company. KWO combines traditional woodturning techniques with a touch of humor to create characters whose sweet expressions and funny antics have inspired smiles in generations of collectors.
Take Another Look
During this holiday season, you might take a fresh look at that familiar wooden Christmas “decoration” that appears year after year on your family’s mantel. Like your own family, these special pieces of folk-art have a fascinating history – and important stories to tell. And they continue to share their stories with us in new and exciting ways today.
