German traditional Gifts - handmade wooden art from the Erzgebirge in Germany

Product Information - German Christmas Nutcracker Gingerbread Baker

This Nutcracker is made by the legendary Steinbach company. For generations Steinbach has brought joy and pleasure to collectors from around the world. The Steinbach Nutcrackers are undoubtedly the most famous ones in the world. Steinbach means highest level of quality and brilliancy in design. Some of the limited editions by Steinbach have increased considerably in value through the years. This Nutcrackers belongs to the TROLL series. Please consider that Steinbach products are very popular collectible items that are not stored in warehouses in mass quantities. On some occasions the item will be specially made for you. The regular period before we will be able to ship this product is 1-3 weeks (+ time from us to your home). Depending on the production process at Steinbach this period could be up to 6 weeks. With limited editions it could be possible that the produced number of pieces has reached the limit before we are notified and we are not able to deliver. In this case you will be informed as soon as possible. The size stated is the approximate size of the item. Minor differences are possible.

Nutcracker description by Mr. Steinbach:
I live in Nürnberg which has been the home of the gingerbread cookies for about 600 years. And still today immeasurable quantities of them are sent yearly throughout the world. It was no coincidence that the best gingerbread cookies and peppernuts were made in Nürnberg. The city was a very important trading center already in the 14th century receiving all kinds of oriental spices like Cinnamon, Cardamon, Cloves, Nutmeg and Pepper via Venice. Most of the honey came from the area around Nürnberg in those days; in fact, the entire Nürnberg Forest was called the ""Emperors bee-garden"". Thus, the domestic honey mixed with the imported spices brought out the unique flavour of these wonderful cookies. When Emperor Frederic III held his annual assembly in Nürnberg in 1487, he gave special recognition to the Gingerbread Bakers by ordering one cookie each for ""all Nürnberg children who are already able to walk"". (4,000 pieces needed, population was only 25,000). Ever since medieval times through prosperous periods and through wars, the trade of the Gingerbread Baker has survived. Only the methods of making the cookies has changed. But the recipes remain the same. And even, a Lebkuchen from Nürnberg smells and tastes not only delicious, but also passes a bit of history on to us.

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