Early 16th Century Boxwood Carved Nutcracker

(oldest carved nutcracker in the museum)

The Nutcracker Museum board of directors contracted with the talented Amanda Gibbs of Gibbs Graphics in Leavenworth to redesign the exterior of the Nutcracker Museum in 2016. This design included a 7 foot sculpture of a 10 inch early 16th Century carved nutcracker currently in the museum.
		The original nutcracker used for the design of the sculpture was carved of boxwood and measures 10 inches in height. It originated from France, circa 1500, and is the oldest carved nutcracker in the museum. It is crowned with a bird drinking from a chalice held by 2 angels, and a sinister gargoyle adorning the bottom half of the sculpture.

Below is the fascinating process of carving the 7 foot nutcracker that now greets museum visitors beside the front door long the sidewalk.

		A strong metal frame had to be built first to support the sculpture which weighs about 400 pounds. Here is Amanda at work as she welded the framework.

		Concrete mixed with fiberglass was spread over the steel meshed frame, and sculpting began while the mixture was still wet. A variety of tools, trowels, and fingers were used in the process. Measurements and scale had to be done perfectly to duplicate the original nutcracker.

		Here are pictures of the sculpture as painting is started, and another when finished. After the final coat of paint, the sculpture received 3 layers of acrylic paint and 3 layers of a custom mixed acrylic glaze.

Finished!!! Our elegant museum entrance featuring the impressive sculpture by Amanda Gibbs. When you come to the museum be sure to see the original nutcracker in the antique section.

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PET POLICY

Our furry family members that are able to be carried at all times may come into the museum and the store.

"Certified Service Dogs are always welcome."

Contact Us

735 Front Street, Leavenworth WA 98826
(509) 548-4573
Email: curator@nutcrackermuseum.com
Hours of Operation

Open Daily 11-5

We suggest visitors arrive at least 30 minutes before closing.

Our Mission Statement

"To foster and encourage the interest of the general public of the importance of nuts in the diets of humans throughout history and in the evolution of the nutcracker. No other tool or collectible has shown such a wide diversity of material and design as the implements used to crack the hard shell of a nut".