Christian Ulbricht’s Geppetto & Pinocchio

Like many German woodworking and traditional crafting companies, the Christian Ulbricht company began in the Ore Mountains of Germany, specifically in Seiffen. In 1928, Christian Ulbricht's father founded the company, “Otto Ulbricht - Werkstätten für feine Holzarbeiten und Spielwaren” or “Otto Ulbricht’s Workshop for Fine Wooden Crafts and Toys.” Otto’s attention to detail in woodworking would earn him the prestigious gold medal at the Paris World's Fair in 1936 for his children’s bedroom clock designs and decorative Kurrende singers (German Christmas carolers). Unfortunately, during WW2, Otto was forced to flee to West Germany, relinquishing control of his Seiffen-based company, and re-establishing his company in Lauingen. After Germany’s reunification in 1990, Christian bought back his father’s original company in Seiffen, and today, the company is run by Otto’s grandson, Gunther, as well as his great-grandchildren, Katherine and Steffen. This nutcracker, made in 1992, features Geppetto crafting Pinocchio, and is the perfect example of the company’s use of vibrant characters and stories as inspiration for their passionate woodworking.