Erzgebirge Advent Candle Holder Small Natural with Wooden Star
Create an enchanting advent display with our authentic advent candle holder. This wooden ornament comes directly from Germany and is a wonderful focal point during the advent time. Four candles (traditionally red) stand in the circle and each one represents one of the four Sundays of Advent. Traditionally each Sunday 1 of the candles is lit in anticipation of Christmas. Candles are sold separately.
Made in Germany, Authentic craftmanship from Erzgebirge
19 cm width x 19 cm length x 19 cm height
Requires candles with a diameter of 20.5 mm (sold separately).
We recommend our advent candles in red 20.5 mm or advent candles in white 20.5 mm.
The history of Erzgebirge Christmas decoration
From mining to folk art
Everything comes from the mountains. No sentence could better describe the history and the rich tradition of the Erzgebirge – and especially the region around Seiffen.
The mining industry in the Erzgebirge had its heyday in the 14th century. The discovery of tin ore deposits led to the settlement of the Seiffen area. The town itself owes its name to the bygone concept of “Ausseifen” – scouring valuable metal out of mined rock.
By the 18th century, however, the ore deposits had been largely exhausted. Technical complications and falling prices on the world market did the rest, forcing the miners to develop new sources of income.
The rich natural resources of timber, the expertise that the miners had acquired in carpentry and the plentiful supplies of water power persuaded many of them to turn to woodturning. Initially, their skilled hands produced everyday household utensils such as containers and plates, but later they also made toys.
In the year 1699, Johann Friedrich Hiemann began transporting “Seiffener Ware” (goods from Seiffen) by handcart to Leipzig and this led to an upsurge in demand for toys from the town and its surrounding area. The sophisticated distribution network ensured that these goods soon found distant markets, including those overseas.
Pyramids, nutcrackers and incense smokers, all of which have helped to make an international name for Seiffen, were actually intended only to serve as decorative items for the miners‘ own homes. Yet anyone who has ever experienced the warm glow of contemplation generated by these works of Erzgebirge folk art will appreciate why they have won the hearts of so many admirers over the centuries.
