Belsnickles
Belsnickles are prized Christmas collectible figures and were made
in Germany from the 1870's until the time of World War I. The name
is derived from Pelz Nichol, or fur-dressed Santa, and was changed
to Belsnickle by German immigrants in the United States. These figures
were candy containers and usually made of paper-mache or chalk. They are
molded with characteristics which include a stern face and one arm holding
a feather tree sprig or switches to punish naughty children.
Belsnickles came in a variety of colors, with white being the most
common and brown or purple the more difficult to find. They also were
made from very small figures of an inch or two in height to rare large
ones over two feet tall. The smaller forms can have a metal holder on
top of the head for hanging on a tree. Often the figures are decorated
with mica as snow. Collectors look for Belsnickles which have unusual
features. They may stand on a snowball base or have an unusual hat or
head piece such as a crown or wreath. Very rare figures have an open
mouth showing teeth or have, instead of a molded or fur beard, one that
has been fashioned of glass icicles.
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