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The Art & Character Of Nutcrackers

Beyond visions of sugarplum fairies and wooden men with white beards, the nutcrackers featured in THE ART AND CHARACTER OF NUTCRACKERS are elegant, sophisticated, rustic pieces of usable art steeped in history and tradition. Beautifully photographed, rare, and valuable, these nutcrackers from around the world are collected and celebrated in one place for the first time ever. What began as an innocent purchase during a production of the Nutcracker Ballet has blossomed into a world-renowned collection almost 40 years in the making. Arlene Wagner (also known as the Nutcracker Lady) and her husband have amassed more than 5,000 pieces. Housed in the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum, which is also a National Heritage Foundation site, the Wagners’ collection is on display to the public. A status sign for royalty and the wealthy in 16th-century Europe, delicately carved, ornate pieces were intended more for show than for function, while simple, sturdy designs reflect the basic utilitarian nature of nutcrackers. Collectors and average folks alike will appreciate the beauty of the book and its subject.

Hardcover: 192 pages

Publisher: Collectors Press; 1st American Ed edition (June 2005)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1933112085

ISBN-13: 978-1933112084

Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 10.1 x 0.9 inches

Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds

Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #777,732 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #59 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Houseware & Dining > Kitchenware #3377 in Books > Engineering & Transportation > Engineering > Industrial, Manufacturing & Operational Systems #11673 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Home Improvement & Design

The Art And Character Of Nutcrackers is an artbook of nutcrackers as crafted throughout human history, from simple and utilitarian devices to whimsical novelties resembling toy soldiers to beautiful works of art, and even provocative nutcrackers fashioned in the semblance of nude women. The text offers a brief survey of the creation, evolution, and use of nutcrackers, yet the majority of The Art And Character Of Nutcrackers is devoted to full-color photography of the nutcrackers themselves. Each photo bears a caption that lists the nutcracker's name, origin, composition, and approximate dimensions. The Art And Character Of Nutcrackers is not a price guide, yet it is a truly gorgeous resource for collectors and casual browsers alike, and a wonderful way to visually experience an artistic marriage of practical function and aesthetic value.

As a neophyte collector of nutcrackers, I was in for quite an education. This book was extremely helpful in my research for a presentation to my Quester chapter as I have a very small collection and definitely not as old and varied as those photographed in this book. The quality of the book, in terms of photographs, is excellent.

Nutcrackers have a long history, moving from simple utilitarian designs to works of art which have achieved notoriety and acclaim - and here to document all the changing trends in construction and artistry is THE ART & CHARACTER OF NUTCRACKERS. Color photos pack every page and contrast a wide range of nutcrackers. Discussions of different woods utilized by artisans, changing styles around the world, and different materials utilized make for an exciting display perfect for collectors and artists alike.

The book came in good time and perfect condition. I had a magazine clipping from 2005 that featured this book but I couldn't afford it at the time. So excited to find it at this price. My sister loved her Christmas gift.

A MUST read for anyone interested in nutcrackers and the history of them. BEAUTIFULLY detailed book with wonderful descriptions of the painting and carving done. Really really fabulous!!!

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