This Nutcracker Prince is 10 inches tall including his 2¾ inch, gold square base. His crown is gold with red plastic jewels and the cap is red with a gold ball on the top. His coat is dark emerald green with red and gold trim, amber plastic jewel buttons decorated with gold and a black belt. He has red pants with blue cuffs decorated with red plastic jewels decorated with gold that tuck into his black boots with gold tops. He is holding a gold scepter. Select this link to view our Wooden Nutcrackers Soldiers.
How Nutcrackers Came to America
Nutcrackers have always been enjoyed for their whimsical expressions, authentic costumes, and enigmatic charm. However, nutcrackers also possess a rich history that goes back about 300 years. Nutcrackers carry with them a sense of tradition as well as an abundance of stories and legends of the past. Although nutcrackers have been around forages, they were not always the collectible items as we know them today. In fact, nutcrackers only became popular in the United States about 50 years ago.
The practice of collecting nutcrackers in the United States began in the early 1950’s. Many of the GI's who were in Germany during World War II visited open air fairs or markets in Germany. It was there that they discovered a sturdy and intriguing companion in the nutcracker. When the soldiers returned home after the war, a new comrade accompanied them. Strengthened by the nutcracker’s ability to ward off evil from its owners, the soldiers brought a figure of power and protection to their families and loved ones. So, the nutcrackers with their rich heritage arrived in the United States.
When Tchaikowsky’s ballet, The Nutcracker Suite premiered in St. Petersburg in 1892, the popularity of nutcrackers grew tremendously. The ballet became very popular in the United States in the early 1950’s and ignited the passion for these fascinating creatures. The strong following of this classic production greatly increased the popularity of collecting nutcrackers in America. Select this link to view our Christmas Nutcrackers Village People.
