Carved wooden nut cracker grotesque face/ Gnome.
Measures approximately 9 1/4" (H) x 5" (W) x 2 1/4" (L).
19th c German folk art piece.
Germans spent many happy summers in the Black Forest and would sometimes return with hand-carved items made by the skilled local craftsmen such as this original nutcracker.
It dates from as far back to mid 1900 (about 1930's).
Face is topped by a gnome’s head and cap.
The detailing is tremendous and one can see all the gnarled age-lines on his face which does give it a rather sinister appearance.
Detail work on this piece is amazing! Expand all attachments to view close-up details of this nutcracker.
Gnomes were always depicted as malevolent little creatures in myths and folklore.
To add to the drama, the fellow opens and closes his jaw in quite a menacing way when pressure is applied to the handle.