Smokers and smoking men from the Erzgebirge are a popular Christmas decoration and worth seeing all year round
Smokers from the Erzgebirge are used to burn incense candles and were originally only a purely functional,safe cover. Over the years, Erzgebirge folk art has embellished this in great detail. The various motifs and professions of everyday life, which were depicted in traditional carving, today enjoy a colorful variety in shape and color and are even used by enthusiasts as year-round decoration. With our handmade carving art from Seiffen or the Erzgebirge we offer you the whole range of different smoking figures.
The smoking man or smoking man from the Erzgebirge
Our smoking men show different professions, which are represented with great attention to detail, starting with the classic forest man, the miner, the woodman, the snowman or a Turkish smoking man with traditional costume, mostly with a pipe in his mouth.
We are happy to help you, to realize individual smoking men according to your ideas e.B. with your company logo. We are not afraid of unusual requests and are happy to support any personal project. Our guiding principle also applies here: Almost anything is possible. So if you need an individual gift idea, a collector's item or timeless Christmas decorations, you are sure to find what you are looking for with us. Incense candles can of course be ordered directly.
History and origin of the Erzgebirge incense smoker
For many, the scent of incense is an inseparable part of the Advent- and Christmas season - and with it the incense smoker, which creates a warm and festive atmosphere. Known and appreciated all over the world, these lovingly designed figures have a long tradition in the Erzgebirge. Originally, the people of the region lived from mining. When this declined in the 18th. century, they began to devote themselves to woodcarving. This is how the first wooden figures and toys were created - the beginning of Erzgebirge folk art. From the end of the 18th.century, incense candles were also produced, initially without special holders. It was not until around 1830 that the incense smoker developed, as we know it today:a hollow wooden figure, usually designed as a pipe smoker, which stylishly spreads the rising scent of the incense.To this day, these artistic figures are an integral part of the Christmas tradition.
How does an incense smoker from the Erzgebirge work?
The classic incense smoker consists of a wooden figure in two parts. The lit incense candle is placed on the lower part. The upper part of the incense smoker is hollowed out and is placed on the lower part. The smoke escapes through a hole in the mouth. This creates the familiar image of a smoking little wooden figure.
Which incense candles are used for the incense smokers?
Please pay attention to the size of the incense candles recommended by the manufacturer. The use of the standard size in miniature incense smokers can otherwise pose an enormous fire hazard, Miniature incense candles are available in our online store.
Meaning of the Erzgebirge incense smoker
What initially served as a practical cover for incense candles, is today the incense smoker. The smoking man, also called "Raachermannl", is an integral part of Erzgebirge folk art and a figurehead for this tradition. They are lovingly hand-turned from local deciduous trees, such as maple, birch, beech, alder, spruce or lime. The smokers have always depicted various traditional occupations of the region. Miners, soldiers or even dumpling women are well-known versions. Nowadays, however, there are also numerous modern versions of smokers such as snowmen,soccer players or skiers. Popular incense smokers are also the Kantenhocker- a special form, which finds more and more followers of the Erzgebirge handicrafts.
The traditional smoker from the Erzgebirge meets the highest quality standards and stands for original German craftsmanship. A high-quality Christmas wooden figure, that everyone knows. For many, the smokers are valuable collector's items.
A wide variety of smoking man professions and Christmas classics
Smoking men from the Erzgebirge are more than just decorative figures - they combine centuries-old tradition, detailed craftsmanship and a festive atmosphere in one. No wonder, that they are among the classics of the Advent-and Christmas season. In the online store of seiffen.co.uk you will find a large selection of these artistic smokers - made by renowned manufacturers such as Christian Ulbricht, Hubrig Volkskunst, Seiffener Volkskunst, KWO, Müller Kleinkunst and Richard Glässer. The diverse depictions of traditional professions are particularly charming: Whether forester, baker, miner, chimney sweep, Santa Claus or wood carver - each smoker tells its own little story and brings a piece of Erzgebirge culture into your home. Always on the lookout for new ideas, today you will also find smokers with topical references to public figures or with tailor-made clothing. These lovingly designed figures give your Christmas decorations an authentic, nostalgic touch and are an expression of genuine craftsmanship.
A number of frequently asked questions are answered here:
When are incense smokers woken up before Christmas?
Nowhere else are Christmas traditions and customs practised as much as in the Ore Mountains. This is the land of Christmas and in many families, the smokers"are still woken up today". Then the father quietly climbs into the attic, to fetch the "men" from their long sleep. Every single incense smoker has been carefully wrapped in tissue paper and in a box after Christmas and now it is time to wake them up again. This happens in our region before 1.Advent, so that the smokers can smoke their first pipe on time on the first weekend of Advent.
Where are smokers made and where can I buy smokers?
The home of the smokers is the Ore Mountains. After the invention of incense candles, resourceful miners created a wooden figure, which was used to burn the candles. The Erzgebirge forest provided the basis for turning the wooden figurines and to this day, new designs from modern to traditional are constantly being created in the arts and crafts sector, which are particularly popular with collectors.
And where the cradle of the little men is, you can also buy them. In many small businesses in the Erzgebirge and the Seiffen region, the figures are produced in large and small, colorful and natural, thick and thin or with and without a pipe. There is the right incense smoker for every taste. The edge stools, are a special shape that can be placed on ledges, shelves or cupboard edges. A trip to Christmasland is the best way to buy. But if you want to order a "Raachermannel", as it is called here, from the comfort of your own home, you should definitely take a look at seiffen.co.uk Here you can get your personal incense smoker from many well-known manufacturers.
Which incense smoker professions are there?- A variety of smoking man professions: A touch of tradition and craftsmanship
Smoking men are available in numerous professional representations, which charmingly embody traditional craftsmanship and everyday professions. The most popular incense smoker professions include the forester, who brings the forest into his cozy home, the baker with fragrant bread and pastries, the miner as a symbol of the Erzgebirge mining tradition, the chimney sweep for luck and prosperity, Santa Claus, who spreads the festive spirit and the wood carver, who honors the art of craftsmanship. These lovingly crafted figures add an authentic and nostalgic touch to your Christmas decorations.
Does an incense burner scare away mosquitoes?
It is not the incense burner that drives away the annoying pests in summer, but the scent of the incense candles. Yet mosquitoes do not like scents such as lavender, mint, citronella, peppermint or thyme. In our online store, in addition to Christmas-scented incense candles, you can also get fresh floral varieties, with which you can keep mosquitoes at a distance. You can certainly burn our incense cones with our incense smokers, incense houses or incense burners. In summer, it doesn't necessarily have to be Santa Claus or the night watchman. How about an incense smoker, that reflects your profession or a very original rocker, a cow or a ladybug? Just take a look at our offers on SEIFFEN.CO.UK.
Why doesn't my incense smoker smoke?
An incense smoker that doesn't smoke? That's not possible! With the right tips, you can get your smoker to smoke again. First and foremost, the air supply is important, which must be guaranteed.Smokers from the Erzgebirge have sufficiently large openings due to their high quality standard. However, these can sometimes be contaminated, for example by chips or wood burrs. Please check these openings. They are located on the head of the figure (mainly), where it smokes from the mouth and on the other hand at the foot or base. Both openings ensure the smouldering of the incense candle due to the chimney effect and must be kept clear.Please note, that a beard, a scarf or similar can also obstruct the passage of air.
It also often happens, that the standard incense candles (25 mm) are burned in small incense burners. Due to the small cavity, large incense candles often go out and do not burn out completely or the incense candles touch the wood of the figure - Caution here is a fire hazard! Incense candles that are too small may also not burn out or burn out far too quickly in the large bodies. Another reason may be the incense candles themselves. They are often not stored correctly - They should be stored in a dry place. Take the incense out of the bag and place it on the heater or another heat source for a few hours (possibly days) and this often solves the problem.
What is the name of the incense burner in the Erzgebirge?
In the Erzgebirge, the incense burner is often affectionately called "Raachermannel" in dialect.
This name is the dialectal form of "Räuchermännchen" and is used especially in the region around Seiffen and throughout the Erzgebirge. The Raachermannel is an integral part of the Erzgebirge Christmas tradition and a symbol of the region's artistic wood crafts.
How do you light a Räuchermännchen correctly?
Lighting an incense burner correctly is easy, but there are a few steps you should follow, so that it smells safe and nice. This is how it works:
Remove the upper part of the incense burner:
The incense burner consists of two parts: the hollow upper body and the base with a small metal plate. Carefully lift off the upper body.
Place the incense cone:
Place a suitable incense cone (usually a small,conical cone) on the metal plate inside the base. Please follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding the size of the incense cone (standard:25 mm,small:15 mm)!
Light the incense cone:
Light the tip of the incense cone with a match or lighter. Wait briefly, until it glows evenly and produces smoke - it should not burn with a flame, but only glow slowly.
Reassemble the incense smoker:
As soon as the incense candle is smoking evenly, carefully place the upper body of the incense smoker back on the base. The smoke is now blown out through the mouth or pipe of the figure - a typical feature of the classic incense smoker.
How long does an incense burner burn?
A candle usually burns for around 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the size, quality and draught in the environment. Various factors influence the burning time:Small incense burners (15 mm) burn for around 5 to 8 minutes, Standard sizes (25 mm) approx.10 to 15 minutes.
Quality: High-quality candles from the Erzgebirge (e.g..Incense candles from Knox) usually glow evenly and slowly.
Room climate: In draught-free, quiet rooms they burn longer than in draughts or humidity.
To ensure that the candle burns completely and smokes evenly, it should stand securely and straight on the metal plate and be able to draw well - i.e. not too little air inside the incense burner. It is also important,that it is stored in a dry place.
How to clean incense smokers?
How to clean your incense smoker properly: After smoking, allow the incense smoker to cool down completely, before you start cleaning. Remove any ash residue, by removing the upper body and carefully removing the ash from the burnt candle from the metal plate. A small brush or cotton bud is suitable for this.
You can clean the interior with a soft, dry cloth. A little vinegar water can help with heavy sooting - but do not wipe it out too damp, to avoid damaging the wood and paint.
From the outside, a soft cloth or a soft brush is sufficient to remove dust. Never use sharp objects or abrasive cleaners!
This way, your incense smoker will remain a well-kept, stylish companion at Christmas time for many years.
Are incense smokers healthy- or the question posed differently: Do incense smokers affect your health?
Incense smokers themselves are harmless to health - however, the quality of the incense candles used is crucial, as smoke particles and fragrances are released when they burn. Here is an overview of the health effects:
High-quality incense candles, especially from the Erzgebirge (e.g.. Incense candles from Knox), usually consist of natural ingredients such as charcoal, tree resin, herbs and essential oils. When used in moderation in well-ventilated rooms, incense burning is harmless - comparable to burning a scented candle.
Caution is advised with allergies or respiratory diseases. People with asthma, bronchitis or sensitive airways may react sensitively to smoke or certain fragrances from incense. Cheap incense candles (often from the Far East) may contain synthetic fragrances or inferior carriers, which can be irritating or even harmful to health. Long-term poor air exchange in closed rooms can increase the fine dust load, therefore ventilate the rooms afterwards.
Incense does not have a negative effect on health, if you use good quality incense and use it moderately. They can even have a relaxing effect - as long as you pay attention to the room climate and individual sensitivity. You are on the safe side with the incense candles you buy at SEIFFEN.CO.UK - our range of incense candles is selected for their high quality.
