The original Erzgebirge crafts from Seiffen from the Christian Ulbricht GmbH & Co. KG has a long and eventful history

With a huge assortment of Erzgebirge wood art, the craftsman Christian Ulbricht is one of the largest entrepreneurs in Seiffen. Known all over the world are his nutcrackers, which find his collectors especially in the USA. His popular Wichtel Räuchermännchen, which are produced in different sizes, delight with a loving processing, convince with detail-loving craftsmanship and find more and more lovers, especially since every year novelties appear on the market. Since 1928, the former "Otto Ulbricht workshops for fine woodwork and toys" produced Christmas decorations and toys. After expropriation in the former GDR, Christian Ulbricht was able to buy back the family business after reunification. 2018 celebrates the Erzgebirge traditional company its 90th anniversary.

From father to son: How Christian Ulbricht continues the tradition of his father

Originally, the Seiffen company was founded in 1928 by Christian Ulbricht's father. That he understood his craft, Otto Ulbricht proved again and again, in which he combined proven and innovative and created something completely new from it. A special highlight of the company's history and recognition of his work succeeded Otto Ulbricht in 1936, when he received a gold medal of the Paris World's Fair for the designs of his children's room clocks and the Kurrende singing group. But things were not always so good for the Ulbricht company: After the Second World War followed - as so often in the eastern part of Germany - the expropriation of the company owner by the communist rulers. This initially meant the temporary end of the successful company, because the family had to flee to the West.

But Otto Ulbricht did not want to give up: He founded a new company in Lauingen on the Danube, to continue his art craft

Then in 1968 Christian Ulbricht took over the management of the company. The native roots connected, he used after the reunification the possibility the old enterprise in Seiffen to buy back, around so the traditional handicraft of its father again into its Erzgebirgische homeland to bring back. Thus now for over 30 years again in Seiffen, the smoked gnomes and nutcrackers handmade with much love to the detail develop.

The history of Christian Ulbricht smoking men

Smoking men have always served to burn incense and were invented by the toy makers in the Erzgebirge. For the first time they were mentioned around 1830 and served at first purely as a functional and safe cover for the incense candles, which were put down before their invention openly. Probably also by the emergence of public smoking in the 19. Century established then more and more the traditional figure of the man with the pipe in the mouth as figure of the smoking man.

Nowadays, the smoking man or the smoking elf is the epitome of Christmas decoration

Over the years, the production of the smoking men developed into a real folk art from the Erzgebirge, by making them more and more detailed and varied. Meanwhile, the smoking gnomes are available in many different motifs and professions. The beautiful figures made of wood are known all over the world and can no longer be imagined without.

Ulbricht Wichtel, Ulbricht Miniwichtel and Ulbricht Nutcracker

Particularly popular are the Ulbricht Wichtel, Miniwichtel and Wackelmännchen. The unique pieces are finely crafted and stained in different shades of brown and painted to a high quality. The sense of detail is reflected in each figure. main focus is on the quality of the products, which are created in precision work in the hands of employees. Recognizable are in each piece "Made in Germany" the love for the homeland and the professionalism of the work. Here is sawed, turned, glued and painted - everything in manual work. The smoking men and pixies are in sizes of approx. 12 cm up to over 50 cm available.

Wackelmännchen by Christian Ulbricht

Wackelmännchen are a special creation of the company. These smaller figures stand on a small rounded base, which moves,as soon as you gently nudge the wobbly man. Like its large brothers there are the figures in various designs - only smoking they cannot. Also as Christmas tree decoration are the approx. 6 cm large journeymen a sustainable alternative to Christmas tree balls & Co.

Our conclusion on the Ulbricht smoking men

Whether sugar baker, cone men or gingerbread seller: The smoking gnomes,Wackelmännchen and mini gnomes from Ulbricht are a charming eye-catcher and original craftsmanship directly from the Erzgebirge.

Ulbricht Wichtel as a decoration for the whole year

Smoking men are with almost all Erzgebirglers and lovers of folk art from the Erzgebirge an integral part of the traditional Christmas decoration and are set up especially in Advent- and Christmas time.Of course, there is a touch of Christmas in the smoking wichtel at first glance.

But the little men are not only suitable as decoration for the contemplative Christmas season, but are increasingly used as a beautiful year - round decoration.

Tradition is written large: Classic Christmas figures from Christian Ulbricht

In addition to the classic Christmas figures such as the Ulbricht Santa Claus,snowman or the pyramid builder, there is meanwhile- of the particularly with the Secret Santa of Christian Ulbricht - a large variety at different smoking men, which illustrate the everyday life or also as a symbolization of a beautiful hobby.

Whether letter carrier, fireman or lumberjack: The Secret Santa figures from Christian Ulbricht are also outside the Christmas season a beautiful decoration and are ideal as a gift for friends and family.

So you can make every passionate rider also in the summer with the Wichtel Reiterin a great pleasure or who would not be happy at the barbecue about a Wichtel Grillmeister.

Above all straight now in the spring-and summer time the smoke figures offer in addition still another practical advantage with itself: Annoying insects can be driven away completely simply with the lighting of a smoke candle.

Christian Ulbricht Volkskunst - further large product variety

Still many other genuinely erzgebirgische articles leave this enterprise daily like snowmen,angels, pyramids or tree decoration. At Easter time are Easter gnomes, Easter hares, Easter wackelmännchen or also Easter pyramids popular Erzgebirge folk art articles. In demand are also animal figures such as owl or raven or the cute magnetic figures to pin. For example, the "Bengelchen" of Christian Ulbricht are also popular miniatures, the whole year decoratively decorate some homes.

2018 the year of the 90- year anniversary of Christian Ulbricht

The company philosophy is based on the tradition of the material wood in conjunction with craftsmanship and innovative ideas to create something beautiful and durable. One meets a piece of Erzgebirge therefore in many rooms of the country, which tell of the passion of erzgebirgischer people artists. Ulbricht people art in the SEIFFEN.COM by Nestler online - Shop order.

Would you like to order a Ulbricht smoking man? Or are you interested in other Christmas items from the range of Christian Ulbricht? Just come to us, we look forward to your request. If you can not find an article, we are happy to help you. You can reach us at: Mail: nestler@seiffen.com