Santa Claus wasn't always the portly guy we're so familiar with today. Maybe because in Northern Europe he walked or rode a donkey on occasion –– none of this flying reindeer business. This nutcracker hearkens back to those more svelte years. Made of elegant natural finish woods with a rich brown fabric cap and burlap sack filled with toys; he holds a lantern in one hand, too. Handmade by artisans at the Christian Ulbricht Company (they've been making nutcrackers by hand in Germany's Erzgebirge Mountains, where wooden nutcrackers first originated, since 1928).

This is a working nutcracker (the lever in back operates his jaws), made by hand of solid natural finish and hand painted woods. Santa's beard and hair are lush faux fur and his coat and cap are lined with fleece. About 16 1/4" tall x 6" wide x 5 1/2" deep. Handmade in Germany.

32-968