This very striking Nutcracker prince is 32 inches tall including the 6x7 inch gold wooden base he stands on. The Prince has a gold crown with green plastic jewels beneath each point and a dark blue glittered cap in the center. His jacket is glittered Venetian red with hunter green shoulder pads, gold epaulettes and hunter green and gold cuffs. The front of his jacket is dark blue with a row of multi colored plastic jewels trimming each side and three red plastic jewels on each side of his beard. He has a black bels with gold buckle and below his belt the jacket has two dark blue stripes, edged with gold, in the shape of an upside down ‘V’. The center of each stripe has a row of multi colored plastic jewels running the length of it. His pants are glittered dark blue with gold cuffs and tall black boots. His is holding a 20.5 inch long gold scepter with a clear, round plastic jewel on top. Select this link to view our Large Nutcrackers.
The History of Nutcrackers
According to German folklore, nutcrackers were given as keepsakes to bring good luck to your family and protect your home. The legend says that a nutcracker represents power and strength and serves like a trusty watch dog guarding your family from evil spirits and danger. A fierce protector, the nutcracker bares its teeth to the evil spirits and serves as the traditional messenger of good luck and goodwill. Select this link to view our Wooden Nutcrackers Soldiers.
Nutcrackers reflect ancestral dining customs where amusing or unusual nutcrackers were part of the social setting adding a whimsical conversation piece as guests linger over the dessert course which included treats such as pecans and hazelnuts.
Writers, composers and artists sang and danced the praises of the legend of the Nutcracker beginning with the novel “The Nutcracker and the King of Mice,” written sometime between 1776 and 1822, by E.T.A. Hoffman which became the basis for Tchaikovsky’s magnificent “Nutcracker Suite”, which debuted as a ballet in St. Petersburg in 1892 and lives on as a holiday tradition throughout the world. Select this link to view our Christmas Nutcrackers Village People.
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 Ornament Sets.