Ball smoker dwarf with hammer and car

Lovingly and elaborately designed ball smoker dwarf with hammer and car, sitting, from Richard Glässer, made in traditional and detailed handcraft.

The ball smoker dwarf is a charming figure with many lovely details. He wears a striking red pointed cap that is tilted forward and has a white ball on top. His face is round and friendly, with two black dots for eyes. His nose is round and his cheeks are pink, his moustache is white and curved, which gives him a mischievous expression.

The dwarf holds a hammer in his right hand, which is made of wood and kept rather simple. In his left hand he carries a colorful toy car, which consists of several colors: blue, red, yellow and green. The car has clear, angular shapes and is also carved from wood.

The dwarf wears a dark, rich green robe decorated with two gold buttons. His feet protrude forward and have brown, oval shoe soles. The dwarf’s legs are short and thick and are dressed in red and white striped socks that protrude from the robe.

He sits on a gold-colored base that gives him stability. The entire figure is made of wood and has a smooth, carefully crafted surface that reveals the grain of the wood in many places. The colors are strong, but subtle enough to emphasize the rustic and handcrafted character of the smoker.

The loving details, such as the red hat, the mustache and the accessories, give the figure its playful charm.

• Height approx. 15cm
• commercially available incense cones
• coloured

You can find more beautiful incense figures from Richard Glässer as well as other manufacturers from the Erzgebirge here.

The tradition of incense figures:
Incense figures are a traditional craft from the Ore Mountains in Germany that originated in the 19th century. These small, often humorously designed figures are used to burn incense candles. The tradition developed in the harsh winter months, when incense played an important role in cleaning the house of evil spirits and spreading pleasant smells. The smoke also symbolized the connection between the earthly and spiritual realms.

The incense figures often represent typical figures from everyday life, such as craftsmen, foresters, miners or even Santa Claus. Humorous depictions of dwarves, hunters or villagers are also popular. This variety of motifs makes the figures collector’s items. They are made of wood, often hand-painted, and are characterized by their detailed, sometimes quirky design.

The mechanism of the incense figure is simple: Inside there is a chamber in which a small incense candle is placed. The smoke rises through the figure’s open mouth and gives the impression that the figure is “smoking”. The incense candles, usually made from various resins and scents, then spread their typical Christmassy smell, which is often reminiscent of cinnamon, frankincense or fir.

Especially at Christmas time, incense figures are an integral part of traditional Erzgebirge customs. This art is still practiced today at Christmas markets and in craft businesses. It stands for coziness, craftsmanship and the conscious cultivation of traditions.