Schnitzerei Emil Helbig
For almost a century, Emil Helbig's woodcarving workshop has been creating unique bas-relief carvings in traditional authenticity. The history of the workshop began on October 24, 1933, with the founding of the company "Kunstgewerbliche Schnitzereien Emil Helbig." Emil Helbig, born in 1883 in Hainichen, was a trained wood sculptor who, after eight years of traveling, initially became self-employed making toys before fully dedicating himself to bas-relief carving. During the forced nationalization of his company in the GDR era, many items were removed from the range. The figures lost quality and identity as their production was only allowed to be carried out with minimal effort. Fortunately, this condition did not last. In 1991, Walter Helbig reopened his grandfather's workshop, focusing on preserving and reviving Emil Helbig's values. Today, Walter's daughter Bettina Bergmann continues the company in the old tradition. The bas-relief carvings of the Helbig brand have retained a high level of recognition and are extremely popular among collectors and connoisseurs.
Helbig Nativity Figures
The carved miniatures, only a few centimeters tall, from the Emil Helbig workshop exude a childlike-naive purity that even adults find irresistible. With great passion, the Emil Helbig workshop breathes new life into old treasures from the pattern archive as well as newly designed motifs. Each figure tells its own little story, whether it’s the cute angel approaching a deer or the angel keeping watch at the foot of a cradle. Helbig figures can be collected individually or assembled into unique small nativity sets as desired. Alternatively, one can opt for the four-piece nativity arch, where the Holy Family, illuminated by real candles, presents an atmospheric scene. Particularly festive and precious is the large, 16-piece nativity set, either in natural tones or glazed in warm colors. Mary and Joseph with baby Jesus, the Three Wise Men accompanied by camels, as well as the shepherd and sheep, classically embody the Christmas story.
The generously loaded Christmas sleigh pulled by reindeer is one of the most splendid modern motifs.
The Quality
The HELBIG brand stands for quality and originality due to its original carving and painting. HELBIG is proud to be the oldest carving workshop in the Erzgebirge. Only local linden wood is used for the figures. As always, only water or oil paints are used for painting. It is not without reason that the Association of Ore Mountain Craftsmen and Toy Manufacturers awarded the prize for "Outstanding Care of Tradition" to the Helbig woodcarving workshop.