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ANTIQUES PEEK by Jessica Kosinski
ANTIQUES PEEK

Get Cracking for the Holidays!

ome certain images and activities stand out materials used to create early nutcrackers as you can now find nutcracker dolls
when we each think of the holiday season. we know them today. One popular example is depicting all sorts of historical and cul-
SOne of my favorite things to do has always the cast iron eagle head nutcracker, turally significant figures. They range from
been to watch Christmas movies, and as a kid which was patented here in the likenesses of former U.S. presi-
Care Bears Nutcracker Suite was one of my U.S. in 1860. Another example still dents to movie characters.
favorites. Another excellent memory I have is of popular among collectors is the cast There are nutcrackers to fit
visiting the Yankee Candle Factory here in iron dog nutcracker produced in the every collector's preference.
Massachusetts each holiday season late 1800s. Many have survived to the
and seeing the many present day since cast iron is such a resilient Types of Nutcrackers to Collect
holiday decorations material. Today, they routinely sell in antique Collecting modern nutcracker soldier dolls is
they had there. Among shops and online for $50 or more. easy. You can find as many as you want depict-
them were enormous ing almost everyone you can think of, past, pres-
toy soldier nutcrackers The History of the Toy Soldier Nutcracker ent, or fictional. However, collecting antique
guarding the doorways. Perhaps the most popular nutcracker design nutcrackers is a bit more difficult.
Maybe that is why I have today is the toy soldier design. The soldiers First, decide what types of nutcrackers you
always gotten a kick out of were originally produced in Germany in want to collect. Bronze, cast iron, and wood are
nutcrackers when I see the early 17th century but really came into just a few material options. Subject matter may
them. I share that love of fashion during the 19th century. Germans also influence you.
nutcrackers with For example, you
many people around might enjoy col-
the country and the lecting nutcrackers
world, so let's take a peek at depicting animals.
why nutcrackers are so special. You can also col-
lect nutcrackers
The Early History of Nutcrackers from a particular
When Americans think of nutcrackers, time or geographic
we think primarily of decorative toy soldiers. region. You may
Their mouths open and close, allowing nuts to also opt to focus on nutcrackers with specific
be cracked. However, they are not often actually purposes or backstories. Because pecan nuts are
used. The original nutcrackers were utilitarian quite hard to crack, many U.S. nutcrackers were
devices designed specifically to crack nuts. produced specifically to open pecans.
Centuries ago, people simply used rocks If you need some inspiration, all you have to
to get at the “meat” do is search for nutcracker images online. You
inside the nut. Later, will find millions of results.
metal nutcrackers
came into the pic- Warnings for Anyone New
ture, with the first to Nutcracker Collecting
known example As with many other collectibles, the condi-
dated to the fourth tion can strongly impact the value of certain
century B.C. nutcrackers. For example, most collectors pay
Much later, in the traditionally used them to ward off uninvited more for early figural nutcrackers that are still
14th century, spirits and encourage good luck in their homes. functional. Paint loss on toy soldier nutcrackers
England became By the 19th century, residents in other parts can devalue them. Also, it is important for any
known for its pro- of Europe were seeking out the popular soldier nutcrackers with levers, screws, or other remov-
duction of brass nutcrackers. And in 1872, the first mass factory able parts to still have all parts present.
nutcracker devices. production of them began. It was orchestrated But perhaps the biggest warning about
In the 15th and by Friedrich Wilhelm Füchtner. Soon, he collecting nutcrackers is you need the space
16th centuries, crafts- became known as the “father of the nutcracker.” to do it. They are beautiful items that really
men turned to wood, The popularity of the ballet The Nutcracker should be displayed for all your house guests to
fastening two pieces contributed heavily to the explosion of interest see and enjoy.
together with a leather in toy soldier nutcrackers. Eventually, they
strap. became popular all over the world, and they are
most popular here in the U.S. Each year,
Whimsical American Nutcrackers millions are produced in Germany and shipped
As the years passed, nutcrackers of many here for consumers to purchase and enjoy.
different shapes and sizes were produced all over
the world. They were also made from a wide Nutcracker Designs for Changing Times
range of materials. Today, you can find porce- Original nutcracker dolls were only designed
lain, brass, and wooden nutcrackers to add to in the likenesses of soldiers and kings. However,
your collection, among others. However, here the popularity of The Nutcracker ballet has since
in the United States (and also in some parts of prompted the creation of nutcracker dolls in the
Europe) cast iron was one of the most popular likenesses of the ballet's characters. Similarly,

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