 Clothing+ Fashion |  Jewelry +Watches |  Home +Furniture |  Pottery + Glass |  Art +Photos |  Paper +Books |  Music +Movies |  Toys +Games |  Sports +Outdoors |  Ads +Signs |  Eras +Themes |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The modern ornamental nutcracker emerged in 19th Century Germany, with wooden figures resembling soldiers, kings, miners, and more. These became associated with Christmas with the 1892 debut of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite ballet, which became a holiday tradition. U.S. GI's brought German nutcrackers home during WW2, spurring a wave of collecting. And several makers, such as Steinbach, have produced limited editions that are highly collectible.
Show & Tell - Share Your Stuff!
Displaying my favorite nutcrackers.
1 person loves this
by sparky2012 on Feb. 8, 2012
cast iron santa nut cracker
1 person loves this
by cvail on Feb. 8, 2012
» See all nutcrackers Show & Tells
Interviews & Articles
Vintage Christmas Ornaments, From Cardboard Dresdens to Silvered Kugels
About 42 years ago, my wife, Darla, went to a very large white elephant sale and found a box of antique Christmas ornaments. She t… [more]
The Charms of Christmas Ephemera and the Changing Face of Santa Claus
I grew up in a home without any antiques. As a small kid, I started decorating my parents’ home for Christmas. I don’t know what i… [more]
Guest Column: A History of Dimestore Christmas Village Houses
The following is a history of these wondrous little artifacts called cardboard Christmas village houses - a history devoted to est… [more]
Guest Column: A Guide to Christmas Antiques and Vintage Christmas Decorations
Ever wonder about that box of vintage Christmas decorations in the attic? From wooden nutcrackers to glass Christrmas tree ornamen… [more]
Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)
Papa Teds Place
Theodore H. Althof, Jr's beautiful collection of vintage dimestore cardboard Christmas 'putz' village houses. Start… [read review or visit site]
Antique Christmas Lights Museum
George Nelson's incredibly detailed chronicle of vintage Christmas tree lighting. Browsable by decade and special t… [read review or visit site]
Bohemian Christmas Decorations
This simple site showcases over 500 artistic Gablonz glass bead antique and vintage Christmas tree ornaments, made … [read review or visit site]
Old Soviet Christmas Cards
This site showcases over 1000 old Soviet Christmas and New Years cards from 1950 to 1990. Browse through page after… [read review or visit site]
Other Great Reference Sites: Christmas
Top eBay Auctions
Susan Milford Davy Crockett Nutcracker - Signed - Numbered - Dated - New W/box
Pipka Memories Nutcracker Santa Christmas 10” Box 2005
Steinbach Nutcracker - 12 Days Of Christmas 4th In The Series
*retired* Steinbach Nutcracker *the Viking* Very Cool
Beatles Doll Sgt. Pepper Nutcracker "george"
Candy Spelling's Traditions 42" Nutcracker Soldier Wood Christmas Holiday Decor
Fitz & Floyd 19/413 Large Diamond Crown Nutcracker
C.e.potter Sapulpa Cast Iron C.i.walnut Nut Cracker Pat No.2377369 Wwii 1945
Wizard Of Oz Series Tin Man Christian Steinbach Mini Nutcracker Mint
Steinbach West German Nutcracker Lz 127 Graf Zeppelin Hard To Find
Steinbach Mini Nutcrackers—four Club Members
Brand New Steinbach Nutcracker The Pharoah 17" Tall 
Christian Ulbricht Nutcracker "johnny Appleseed"
8-foot Tall Inflatable Nutcracker
Steinbach Nutcracker. Looks Like A General Of Some Sort. Still Has Tag!
Fox Hunt Nutcracker - Hand Made In Germany - Holzkunzt Christian Ulbricht
Vintage Brass Nut Cracker Court Jester 7.25" X 1.25"w
Rare Davy Crockett Christian Ulbricht 862 Of 2500 Nutcracker Germany W Tag 15"
Rare Steinbach King Neptune Nutcracker 15" With Tag Germany
Birdwatcher Nutcracker
Large Original Steinbach Nutcracker Soudier Volkskunst West- Germany Nutcrack
Valentine Nutcracker 9" Whimsical - Donald Duck . Be Mine
Christmas Ornament, New, Cloisonne Nutcracker, In Red Velvet Box 
Steinbach Of Germany 17" Sugar Plum Fairy Nutcracker Music Box 
Johnny Appleseed Christian Ulbricht 242 Of 2500 Nutcracker Germany W Tag 15"
Rare Christian Ulbricht English Bobby Nutcracker 17" Germany
Christian Ulbricht Nutcracker 17" Miner Greeter
Steinbach Nutcracker "hiker"
Lot Of 3 - Texas Native Inertia Nutcrackers - 2 Complete In Box
14" Zims Pizza Chef Cook Baker Nutcracker
30" Union Toy Soldier Nutcracker Christmas Blow Mold
Vintage Steinbach Made In Germany Nutcracker Very Nice L@@k
Original Steinbach Hand Made Wood Drummer 12" Tall Nutcracker - Germany
14 Inch Wooden Irish Christmas Nutcracker New St Nicholas Square
14 Inch Wooden Frog Christmas Nutcracker New North Pole Trading Co
14 Inch Wooden Lion Christmas Nutcracker New North Pole Trading Co
Nib Home Interiors Set Of 3 Christmas Metal "nutcracker Soldier" Ornaments
Rare Signed E.m. Merck Kwo Gardener Nutcracker Germany
2008 Limited Edition Rock Star Nutcracker
2008 Limited Edition Hippie Nutcracker
14" Zims Joker Jester Nutcracker
Steinbach Nutcracker Ornament-hand Made In Germany
Zuber Nutcracker Chimney Sweeper
Christian Ulbricht Nutcracker Santa Claus
Original Erzgebirge Ho Dre Wa German Nutcracker 13.5" Tall
Neiman Marcus Hand Held Christmas Nut Cracker Santa Towle Silverplate
Vintage Texas Native Inertia Nutcracker Box&cracked For Apollo13 And 14 Missions
Vintage Steinbach 11.5" German Bavarian Nutcracker W/ Lowenbrau Stein & Hang Tag
2 Naughty Naked Lady Woman Nut Cracker Nutcracker Hand Carved Wood Statue - 2
Texas Native Inertia Nutcracker Model # 7141 Unused In Original Box
Collectors Choice Deluxe Nutcracker
New Pink Princess Wooden Nutcracker Women Girl Princess Queen Glam 14" Tall
Lenox 2011 Annual Nutcracker Ornament Magical Musketeer 
Michigan Wolverines Ncaa College Sports 11" Christmas Nutcracker
Rare Steinbach Clockmaker Nutcracker 13" With Germany Musical
Stienbach Germany Nutcracker Ornaments Handcrafted Fisherman, Sail Boat, Captain
Stienbach Germany Nutcracker Ornaments Handcrafted, Dentist, Professor, Artist
Lot Of 4 Turkey Pilgrim Thanksgiving Nutcracker Dinner Card Holders 
Steinbach Basket Maker Nutcracker Germany 15 1/2 Tall
Rare Jowei Rhoen Johann Weih Signed # 41 0f 500 Nutcracker Germany 11 3/4"
