KWO

Olbernhau, the town of the seven valleys, is home to the Kunstgewerbe-Werkstätten Olbernhau, or KWO for short. Founded in 1949 as a merger of several smaller craft businesses, the company is now one of the largest producers of Ore Mountains wooden art, and carries a wide range of products: more than five dozen employees build everything for which Ore Mountains folk art is known in Olbernhau: Nutcrackers, pyramids, candle arches and angels. But above all, KWO from the Ore Mountains is known for its smoking men.

Smoking man

Funny fellows they are, the KWO smoking men, figures from all areas of the world. Some popular series have been created: the smoking man miner from the series "The Bearded", presents himself with the typical high hat and lantern in hand, the smoking man forester with the rifle on his shoulder. Likewise, we find here the Magi with their gifts, and other traditional motifs such as night watchman, chimney sweep or shepherd. But KWO also produces modern motifs in the series "Die Dicken": the smoking man rocker shows himself proper with sunglasses, leather coat and microphone. In addition, there are motifs such as the pizza maker, the vintner, the smoking manikin nurse with pillbox and syringe in hand, the lawn mowing gardener and the pilot. "The fatties" are all tubby guys with gregarious, cheerful charisma, as if from the middle of real life.

Edge Sitters

Another specialty of the Olbernhau arts and crafts workshops are the shelf sitters: Smoking men who dangle their legs as they perch on the window sill, on the shelf, on the dresser - or in the popular KWO train. The black steam locomotive, the engineer and Santa Claus with the little chip tree can be fitted with incense candles. In addition, there are tenders, baggage cars, and also other passenger cars on which numerous edge stools can ride. Practical magnetic couplings hold the train together, which you can assemble according to your taste. For this purpose, we recommend the diverse original Crottendorfer, the Huss incense candles and the Knox incense candles.

Nutcracker

For the KWO nutcrackers, the Olbernhau arts and crafts workshops vary the classic motif: kings, hussars or drummers wear the familiar splendid uniforms. Their hand-painted faces have an individual expression. A KWO speciality are the nutcrackers: Ladies Jasmin (old pink) and Lily (orange) like to present themselves dressed in elegant costumes, with boots, handbag, fur hat, fine makeup and rhinestones on their jackets.

Angel

The two series of KWO angels are very popular: in KWO's angel orchestra they play on traditional instruments such as timpani and violin, on harp, concert grand piano and trumpet... but also unusual instruments like bagpipes, electric guitar or balalaika are effortlessly mastered by the cute KWO angels. The letter and number angels - A to Z and 0 to 9 - partly also have their instrument with them, but also lanterns, lovingly wrapped presents, stars and hearts. Their blue wings with the five golden stars and their faces are of course hand-painted, which, like the lively poses, gives them their personal expression.

Pyramids

The cute KWO angels, as well as other figures such as soldiers, shepherds, and carol singers, populate KWO pyramids, from the small, single-story models (also available without figures, so you can equip them yourself as you please) to the large pyramids with six stories. Christmas pyramids from KWO are usually painted in beautiful, bright colors and often feature modern shapes, like the Christmas pyramid Angel Music in white. It is one of the traditional pyramids on which the rising warmth of fragrant wax candles - we recommend the quality candles from the house JEKA - set the motifs in motion. In addition, KWO also has models with electric motors.

Schwibbögen

The Olbernhau arts and crafts workshops naturally also produce beautifully shaped candle arches in classic fretwork, such as the magnificent, 11-flame Seiffen Church candle arch. Finally, a speciality of the Olbernhauer are the sculptural glass candle arches from KWO, traditionally handcrafted from alder wood or noble, dark bog oak. With their indirect lighting behind the glass snowy landscape, they are a very special eye-catcher, not only in a modern ambience.

Tree ornaments

Small bundles of packages, nutcrackers, gingerbread men, pretzels, teddy bears and many other motifs adorn the Christmas tree at home as dreamlike ornaments. Especially for children, hanging the diverse ornaments is a fun activity and a little anticipation for the upcoming holiday. In the KWO series "Christmas tree and Easter ornaments" you will find the right decoration for every branch.

Kunstgewerbe Werkstätten Olbernhau GmbH

Nationalized in 1970, the company returned to the ownership of the founding family in 1992 and promises the highest quality, excellent design and attention to detail. KWO works with domestic hardwoods and softwoods from sustainable forests, as well as other natural products such as hemp and rabbit fur. Kunstgewerbe-Werkstätten Olbernhau has won several awards, including the German Toy Design Award, the "Tradition and Form" award, the Saxon State Prize for Design and the Federal Product Design Award.