There's a saying in the Erzgebirge region of Germany that goes like this: "Life gives you the nuts; you have to crack them open."
That might be why the people of this area are known for their hard work and industrious nature. It might also explain why they began making nutcrackers.
In Germany, says Christian Steinbach, the fifth generation to head up the prestigious Steinbach factory and often endearingly known as the "King of Nutcrackers," these creations are much more than simple tools. "A nutcracker is a symbolic figure — one that gives happiness and protects your home and family."
The affable 80-year-old Steinbach was in Salt Lake City recently to greet fans, sign his latest creations and talk about the history and tradition of nutcrackers.
"This is his Number One stop in the United States," says Norman Recksiek, an owner of the Mount Olympus Clock Shop, which hosted the visit. "He signs more nutcrackers here than any other place. His pieces are very popular in Utah."
No one is sure just when the first fancy nutcrackers were made. The oldest known reference is an inscription dating back to 1650 in Berchtesgaden that talks of "nutbiters." In this part of the country, says Steinbach, nuts were often served as part of the dessert course, and guests would crack nuts as they lingered over wine and sweets.
One legend tells the story of a wealthy farmer who liked nuts but hated cracking them, so he offered a reward to anyone who could come up with an easy way to do it. Many suggestions were made: The veterinarian suggested letting hens sit on them; the carpenter wanted to use a saw. But finally an old puppet carver made a puppet with a large mouth and sturdy jaw. The farmer was so grateful that he gave the carver his own workshop to make the most beautiful nutcrackers in the world.
Another nutcracker legend was one told by E.T.A. Hoffman, which involved the story of an enchanted nutcracker and the king of the mice. Modern audiences know and love this story as it was adapted by Tchaikovsky for ballet.
Steinbach's family got into the business in 1832. The Erzebirge was an iron-producing region, he explains. But in the winter when the mines could not be worked, the people would turn to woodcarving as a way to pass away the time. In the spring they would put a bag of nutcrackers on their backs and go sell them to other villages.
His family actually started out with a steam-powered sawmill, but with the introduction of the lathe as a woodworking tool, they turned to more figures, ornaments and nutcrackers.
They became master craftsmen, a heritage that has continued to the present. But Steinbach's philosophy is this: "No reputation, no tradition, no fortune will help him who cannot apply the old saying: 'That which you have inherited from your forefathers, obtain it and possess it for yourself.' "
And that's exactly what Steinbach has done, says Recksiek. "He's the one who is really responsible for all the variety, for the fun. Nutcrackers used to be just soldiers and military figures. He's the one responsible for the evolution and revolution of nutcrackers into the popular collectors items they are."
It was after World War II, says Recksiek, and the Steinbach factory was in what became East Germany. "When he heard the wall was going up, he just walked away. He left everything. He continued to pay rent and taxes on the factory, but he opened up a new factory in West Germany. He wanted to do more."
Still the nutcrackers tended to follow traditional patterns and designs. "In 1991, he introduced a limited edition Merlin the Magician, and it really took off from there. That's the one that is considered the first of the collectibles."
Now, nutcrackers come in all shapes and characters: St. Peter, an Irish Santa Claus, all the "Nutcracker Suite" figures, characters from movies (with proper licensing agreements) such as "The Wizard of Oz" and Disney classics. There are historical figures: King Louis XIV, Tchaikovsky, the Pope's Swiss Guards. For his Utah friends, he's even done a pair of LDS Church missionaries. His Uncle Sam, complete with music box, is very popular.
Steinbach makes about 200 different styles. About 10 or 15 new characters are introduced each year, some as limited editions. Prices range from $49-$89 for the smaller pieces; collectors items sell for just under $200 — at least initially. "There is a Noah that just sold on the Internet for $500," says Recksiek. And early Herr Drosselmeyer figures can command more than $3,000, while the Mouse King ranges from $1,600 to $1,800.
There are other nutcrackers. Christian Ulbricht, who started in 1921, has a quality line of nutcrackers. And there are lots of cheap imitations out there, says Recksiek. But, he says, Steinbach is considered the world leader, and what often happens, is that people will start out with some of the others, but then they want a "real one."
The Recksieks have been importing and selling Steinbach nutcrackers for more than 40 years. In 1958 Norman's aunt and uncle, Werner and Helga, both originally from Germany, opened the clock shop. They traveled to Germany to buy special clocks and began bringing back some of the nutcrackers. They were so popular, they've been doing it ever since.
Their process of making nutcrackers is intricate and detailed, says Steinbach. Producing one nutcracker may involve up to 130 separate procedures, from curing and drying the wood to turning the lathe to creating the accessories.
"Wood is a living thing. It's not like plastic or metal," he says. "That's why you can make a circle and you come back and find an egg-shape; it has stretched. That's why if you cut down a tree, pretty soon out come the green leaves from the stump. It's alive."
So, he says, it must be treated with both love and respect. To make a nutcracker, you need to understand wood — just as you must understand the "soul and tradition" of the German people.
"We have another old saying: 'Before you give an answer, talk to your nutcracker.' In other words, take time before you take action. It would be good, don't you think, if we all did that?" Especially as you crack the nuts life hands you.
E-MAIL: carma@desnews.com