Every once in awhile I find a little wooden figure like the little buggy I found last Friday.
I was asked to share the rest of my collection of these sweet wooden figures. I don't know alot of history on them. Some of mine have labels on the bottom - "original Erzebirge - made in German Democratic Republic". Most of them are unmarked.
The Erzibirge is a region on Germany that is famous for making these figures as well as nutcrackers. This type of figure has been in production for 200 years. Mine have all been estate sale finds, but I love the detail and whimsy they have. Some have seen better days or are missing a part...so it is a collection of misfits as well. There are different manufacturers for these type of figures, but they all originate in the same area of Germany.
I display mine on a three tiered metal shelf.
I am just going to let the images do the talking on this post.
Ebay has over 400 listing for this type of figure...they are still in production and popular. I like the vintage ones that I find at a cheaper price....a happy little family to collect.
That wraps up challenge #14. If you have a suggestion for a future challenge, finish the sentence "show me your collection of _____", and I'll see what I can do.
Wonder of wonders!! I think the little birds are my favorites!! No feathers.
Posted by: Lynn | July 27, 2010 at 07:43 AM
This is my FAVORITE collection so far! LOVE IT! You are such a lucky girl. Love the baby buggy and the three holding the flowers. Hot dog!
Posted by: Kim G. | July 27, 2010 at 08:33 AM
Laurie, these are the cutest little things. I don't think I've ever seen so many at once and just how charming they are. Now something else for my eyes to hunt for! Love the little birds!
Posted by: Linda @ A La Carte | July 27, 2010 at 08:34 AM
That little sproingy-headed Dutch girl is too cute -- and all those little birdies! I can't recall ever having seen these little figures anywhere. One more thing that will remind me of you when I'm out yard-sale-ing. :-0 See you at Barn House! -amy
Posted by: Into Vintage | July 27, 2010 at 08:53 AM
This is a happy collection! I once found a wooden ring the size of a birthday cake filled with little angles and tulips to hold the candles to sit on top of the cake. I used them to make scenes under glass as gifts. Sigh, I wish I had kept them now! I received my order, thrilled as can be, and have posted it on my blog. I collect the little business cards you include, they are so darn cute! Laurie, have you ever thought of making postcards of your creations? They would be so wonderful to send. Gushing here, E
Posted by: Elizabeth | July 27, 2010 at 09:25 AM
I do so love these.I pick them up at yard sales for my daughter.We put them on her shelf of "special things" in her room.Last summer I found an adorable bunny family with really tall ears!Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Carrie @ Junque Magnet | July 27, 2010 at 09:33 AM
You did it again... you amazed me! I love the little gardening girls... and the birds... oh, and the girl at the piano... and the...
Janet
Posted by: Janet | July 27, 2010 at 10:36 AM
Oh how sweet I love these, simple and sweet.
Posted by: Nancy Jane York | July 27, 2010 at 11:59 AM
Hi there Ms. Magpie Ethel! I received my Summertime Spunhead Girl, it's adorable! I have it sitting on a shelf in my office, which is mostly blue, so she matches perfectly! Lucky for me since it was the last one in your Etsy Store!
I love your blog and I totally wish I had half of all the fun and interesting things you've acquired.
I'll be sure to be on the lookout for some of your handmade
Christmas items this year!
Posted by: Maureen | July 27, 2010 at 12:03 PM
What a marvelous collection. I have seldom run across any of those, but now I'm looking. The blogworld broadens our horizons in so many ways!
Posted by: Angela | July 27, 2010 at 12:50 PM
never seen these before..but I love your collection..:)very sweet and happy..:)
Posted by: Gina | July 27, 2010 at 01:16 PM
Well, these are just charming. I don't think I've ever seen them anywhere (except on your blog). I like the little wooden Imri figures (I think that' what they're called) but these seem prettier and more detailed.
Posted by: barbara | July 27, 2010 at 01:49 PM
I love all these little painted cuties. I thought my plain wooden ones were cute, but now I need some painted ones!
I especially love that they are all a little on the plump side.
Cute!
Posted by: Shara @ monkeybox | July 27, 2010 at 02:51 PM
Love those little wooden people!!
Do you have any vintage bakelite napkin rings??? Elma
Posted by: elma | July 27, 2010 at 04:25 PM
I love your collections! I'd love to see your collections of bunnies and kitties!
Posted by: Eileen | July 27, 2010 at 05:28 PM
I love this collection-- so cute! I've always loved vintage lamps with this type of wooden figurines, especially nursery rhymes. I saw a "jack and jill" lamp recently. Maybe someday I'll actually buy one. I think it would be cute in my "playroom" studio.
Hugs,
Jill
Posted by: Jill | July 27, 2010 at 06:41 PM
Hi Laurie, I also love your collection! I think the girl in
the yellow hat is the cutest!
The little bitty birds are sweet
and I really, really like the
baby in the carriage that you just
purchased. I love them all!!
The colors are so soothing to look
at.
Please let me see your collection
of vintage crepe paper sheets,
packages and/or wrapping paper.
Hugs,
Janis
Posted by: Janis | July 28, 2010 at 04:04 AM
Those are so sweet. For some reason I just love "little" things and those have such great color and character!
Annette
ps any chance you are going to Barn House this Sat.??
Posted by: Annette | July 28, 2010 at 08:40 AM
Well, I love to learn something new. These wooden cuties are new to me. Do you know if they are relatives of "Irmi" figurines found on lamps and children's mobiles? Just curious.
karen
Posted by: karen | July 28, 2010 at 05:33 PM
They are so sweet. You have such cute collections.
Posted by: Jenn Bontrager | August 03, 2010 at 12:32 PM
The little wooden German figures are so sweet. We had a baby lamp with these... I don't remember what happened to it... maybe passed to one of my sisters when she had her babies.
Posted by: GardenOfDaisies | June 28, 2011 at 07:09 PM