Richard Glaesser Christmas Decoration Erzgebirge

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Beautiful Advent Candle Holders in vibrant colors. Use as table decorations. Available in natural wood tones, vibrant red, ivory, and green

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GLASSER-pyramids

Tradition The shape of the Christmas pyramid was originally based on a device known as a 'whim', which was a simple engine once used in mining to move ore to the surface.

Function
The rising heat of the candles pushes the vanes on the impeller wheel, causing the pyramid to rotate. The atmospheric shadows created by candlelight create a magical ambience heralding the arrival of Christmas, uniquely underlining the contemplative atmosphere of the Yuledde season.

With Christmas pyramids having been around for so long, they are truly the centrepiece of Advent traditions. in the Ore Mountains.

The small hand-turned figures tell the story of the birth of the infant Jesus and the homage of the Three Wise Men.

The following types of pyramids are available from GLASSER:

Miniature pyramids
(about 10 cm/4" tall) are not used with candles. Instead they are rotated by some other heat source (e.g. a radiator).

Table pyramids
Have one or two levels and range in height from 19-40 cm (7-1/2" - 15-1/2"). Typical examples from GLASSER include pyramids with an arch representing the sky and with either a natural wood finish or painted (blue or white).

Nightlight pyramids
Table pyramids designed for use with nighlights; enhanced by the stable positioning of the candles and the unrestricted view of the central section.

Strut pyramids
Have a triangular or square cross section. The central part is supported by the external struts. These pyramids usually have three or four levels and range in height from 23-200 cm (9<<-6i61/>", article no. GLA-15918).

Step pyramids
Are hexagonal oroctagonal and range in height from 32-200 cm (12-1/2" - 6' 6-1/2"). They contain between one and six levels, judging by the number of discs moved. The wooden figures in the Nativity scenes either have a natural wood finish or are painted and come in the heights 5, 7, 12, and 15 cm (2, 3, 4-1/2, and 6 inches).

House pyramids
Have a shape based on a typical house in the Ore Mountains, including with a pointed roof (so that the snow can slide off in winter).

The best-known model is the Advent house (Item No. GLA-903, 62 cm/24-1/2 inches tall) depicting the birth of the infant Jesus in a house in the Ore Mountains. Four separate doors can be opened in Advent. One special category of house pyramid is modelled on the shape of the church in Seiffen.

Large pyramids
Can have a musical mechanism installed in the base.

Electrically powered pyramids
Apart from the traditional candle-powered pyramids, some of the table, strut, step and house pyramids are rotated and lit with electricity. Due to the absence of naked flames, they provide an alternative for displays and unattended operation for young and old alike as they can be left on all the time.

Safety/suitability for export
The electrically powered pyramids run on low-voltage current (12V). They come with a UL-tested power supply unit (220V or 110V) that can be plugged into the mains.

Operation
All pyramids are checked at the factory to make sure they are in good working order. They are accompanied by instructions in a choice of languages and safety tips. Never leave pyramids powered by candles unattended.

Handy hints
At the core of the candle-powered pyramid is the glass bearing. Please handle it with care (see the instructions). Replacement bearings are available from GLASSER in case they break. Moreover, replacement candleholders, vanes, fences and hubs are also available. Only use pyramid candles of the right size to ensure they are stable. GLASSER provides white, red and honey-coloured candles suitable for holders measuring 10,14,17, and. 20mm. Keep the box so that you can. store the pyramid in it once Christmas is over. Replace the cardboard beneath the disc in order to protect the glass bearing.


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Tradition from the Ore Mountains GLASSER-smoking men

Tradition
Smoking men make for a cosy atmosphere and portray familiär everyday characters, including toy sellers, shepherds, wood-makers and many other professions and activities. The number ofdifferent designs is now almost endless -- and despite the term 'smoking men', these days women and even inanimate objects are also depicted.

Use
The use of incense is an old religious custom. The inhabitants of the Ore Mountains came up with the idea of burning incense in the form of little cones inside smoking men. To make the smoking man smoke, the top half of the figure is removed, a glowing incense cone is placed inside, and the top half is then replaced. The smoke usually escapes through the figures mouth, the scent ofChristmas soon filling the room.

GLÄSSER also suppiies incense cones in a wide variety of different scents, including church incense, pine and sandal wood. Tiny incense cones are even available for miniature smoking men.

Note
Well-designed series of smoking men are usually based on primary geometrical shapes. ProfG. Kaden for example uses spheres, egg shapes and rounded parabolas. These shapes are then repeated in the body, head, nose and hands, etc.

High-quality surface finishing and lovingly chosen details and accessories are all part of the good reputation enjoyed by GLÄSSER smoking men.

Safety first
Never leave smoking men unattended when the incense cone has been lit. Make sure you dispose of the embers of incense cones carefully.

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GLÄSSER-nutcrackers

Tradition

A nutcracker frorn the Ore Mountains is a wooden decorative item which is a source of pleasure throughout the year, not just at Christmas time. The design of the nutcracker commands respect since it represents authority - the sort ofperson often given a 'hard nut' to crack. This explains the frequently regal attire of these nutcrackers depicting famous celebrities from centuries past. And by the way, yes, they are able to crack real nuts!

GLÄSSER nutcrackers come in all heights from 8cm to 130cm (4 ft and 3 inches).

Designer
Apart from die traditional slim nutcrackers and the unpainted wooden kings {item no. 1262} first produced in the 1960s, GLÄSSER is also well known for two series designed by Prof G. Kaden: the Stout Fellows (about 20cm/8" and 33cm/13" tall) and the Tall Chaps (up to 49cm/1'7" tall). The most famous designs include the Bavarian beer-drinker, the Scotsman, the forest ranger with a dachshund, the Santas, the golfer, and the biker.

Quality
The use ofthe finest wood crafted on a lathe, the outstanding surface finishing and painting, and the frequently ingenious accessories and details ensure masterly quality.

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GLÄSSER Music Boxes
Tradition
Music boxes playing the prettiest Christmas tunes have been some of the most popular Yuletide decorations in the Ore Mountains for decades. Inside they contain an intricate musical mechanism. The elaborate miniature angels ushering in Christmas emanate a charming festive atmosphere delighting both eyes and ears and conjuring up your own fairytales in your mind! Motifs
Apart from music boxes featuring Christmas motifs, they are also available with other melodies and designs for use all year round and for other festive occasions, e.g.:

• Easter, featuring Easter bunnies and chicks
• Children s birthdays, decorated with teSfely bears or fairytales,
• and for all seasons.

GLÄSSER-Decorative candleholders

Tradition
GLÄSSER's 'Schwibbogen' — decorative candle-holders in the shape of an arc — are part of the mining traditions in the Ore Mountains. They symbolise the entrance to the tunnel, where the miners once hung up their pit lamps.

Traditionally used with candles, in the late 1980s the first Schwibbogen featuring electric candles went on sale. Nowadays electric Schwibbogen are popular items since they can be safely left lit up in the window at Christmas time.

Typical designs Typical GLÄSSER Schwibbogen feature designs beneath the arc such as famous churches (e.g. the church in Seiffen, the Church of our Lady in Dresden, or the Church of our Lady in Munich), village scenes or Christmas fairs. The churches and houses also radiale warm light from their Windows, augmenting the lights on the arc. Some Schwibbogen depicting Christmas fairs have a Christmas pyramid at the centre. Hand-turned figures rnake for a lively village scene. Sometimes children can be seen playing beneath the illuminated Christmas trees.

Schwibbogen are available in two types:
1. Schwibbogen with 5 or 7 candles connected in series that can be plugged into the mains (220V) via their cable with switch. Examples include Item Nos. 012xx. These items are CE-tested and marked accordingly.

2. Schwibbogen featuring more extensive lighting Item Nos. 010xx) operate on low-voltage current (12V).

New: suitable for all electricity networks:
The power supply unit includes a UL-tested transformer for connection to the Schwibbogen. As long as the right transformer is chosen (220 V/12 V for Western Europe, 110V/12V for the USA and Japan), Schwibbogen can be safely used with any electricity network.

Use:
Since Schwibbogen are often displayed in Windows, we also provide Stands with a suitable stand to make them more visible.

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GLÄSSER-Angels

The angel enjoys special significance in the Ore Mountains. Above all, she represents the miner's wife, bringing light into his life. It s still a popular custom in the Ore Mountains to display as many Christmas angels in the window in Advent as there are girls in the house - together with as many Christmas miners as there are boys.

One category among GLÄSSER's typically unique designs consists of angels' bakeries. Crafted on a lathe and then lovingly painted, the angels can be seen baking Stollen — the traditional German Christmas cake.
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GLÄSSER-Christmas tree decorations

The first Christmas trees were hung with apples, biscuits, nuts and sweets. It was only later on that these items gave way to glass Ornaments and tinsel. In the Ore Mountains, however, Christmas trees have for many years been adorned with wooden decorations, usually bearing Yuletide motifs. The huge variety already available is augmented by new designs every year, meaning enthusiasts are always able to add to their collections.
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