Visit our Sister Sites at:
www.kidslovenutcrackers.com and
www.nutcrackerday.com
If you are starting an antique nutcracker collection, we
suggest you arrange a visit to the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum in the
Bavarian Village of Leavenworth, Washington to see the endless variety of
antique nutcrackers that have been made over the years from strictly
utilitarian mechanical to delicately carved wood, from hand forged iron to
beautifully cast sterling silver, and from simple designs to works of art.
This will help you decide what kind of nutcrackers you would like to have in
your collection.
If you cannot see the museum read as much as you
can on the internet or in books. Bob Mills’ book "Nutcrackers" published by
Shire Publications is a small book loaded with information on antique
nutcrackers. Another book out of print, but probably available through the
library is "Ornamental and Figural Nutcrackers" by Judith Rittenhouse,
published by Collector Books. “The Art & Character of Nutcrackers”, by the
Nutcracker Museum shows several hundred antique nutcrackers.
Some
terms you need to get acquainted with are Figural which means it is made in
the image of a human or an animal, Treen which is the term used for old
wooden articles used in the home, and Patina which is the rich glow that
comes with age, usage, or oxidation. Sometimes the word nutcracker will be
divided to make nutcracker, and the English usually use nutcrackers.
Some people collect only the useful mechanical nutcrackers made
especially for the pecan nut. The pecan is native only to America and is
found in many of the southern states. Because of this, inventors were
encouraged to develop the “perfect” pecan opener, and many have been
patented since the US Patent Office opened in 1836.
The hand-held
metal levers are popular collectibles. The Le Secq des Tournelles Museum of
Rouen, France shows ironworks from the 2nd to the 18th centuries and has a
large display of early nutcrackers. You will also find many such nutcrackers
in the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum. Some of the very earliest ones are
works of art even though the metal being hand forged was red hot! Many
varieties of handheld-lever type nutcrackers have been produced in the
United States and Europe over the past 200 years. You can find these metal
nutcrackers at antique stores and shows, at garage sales and auctions. You
may even find some of these old lever nutcrackers in your grandmother’s
kitchen, since nuts did not always come from the store all shelled and
packaged.
Many cast brass lever nutcrackers were made in England in
the 18th and 19th centuries. Some are plain, while others are ornately
decorated. You will find cats, dogs, lions, crocodiles, skeletons, and the
popular ladies legs nick-named “Naughty Nellie’s”. You will also find
Shakespeare, Fagin and Sykes, and Mr. Pickwick.
Cast iron figural is
another favorite category. Most have these have been made in England and the
United States. Some will date back to the late 19th century. Once the
difficult task of making the mold was finished, a great number of a design
could be produced very easily. You will find many copies of the original
dogs, squirrels, and crocodiles.
Carved figural nutcrackers make for
an exciting collection. The early 16th, 17th, and 18th century specimens
were usually made for the cob nuts, the small wild hazel nut. The most
elaborate ones were made in France though other European countries also
produced nutcrackers. Boxwood and Yew woods were mainly used because of
their tight grain that facilitated longevity. These early nutcrackers are
extremely expensive and elusive, but you can easily find those made in the
late 19th and early 20th centuries. Some collectors will collect only the
human figurals, others will also collect animal forms. While most of these
nutcrackers are of the lever type, many will be found using the screw
mechanism.
The Anri wood carvers in the Italian Alps produced many
nutcrackers in the early part of the 20th century. You can find pictures of
many of these in the book Anri Woodcarvings by Philly Rains and Donald Bull.
You will want to choose each piece for your collection carefully so
you will enjoy it for years to come. Watching your collection grow brings
much satisfaction and finding a special nutcracker at an antique show is
always exciting!
09-12-22 |
Dogs that are able to be carried at all times may come into the museum.
Service animals are
always welcome.
735 Front Street
P.O. Box 2212
Leavenworth, WA 98826
(509) 548-4573
MUSEUM HOURS
11:00PM - 5:00PM Daily
We suggest visitors arrive at the museum at least 30 minutes before closing.
"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".
Adults - $5.00 (Ages 17 - 64yrs)
Seniors - $3.50
(Age 65yrs +)
Youth - $2.00 (Ages 6 - 16yrs)
Child - FREE (Ages 0 - 5yrs)
Active
Military - FREE (Spouse & Children Free with ID)