Christian Ulbricht Nativity “Pyramid”

“This Nativity pyramid, made in the shape of a Christmas tree, was hand crafted by the Christian Ulbricht company in the German town of Seiffen. The company was founded in 1928 by Otto Ulbricht, Christian’s father. Seiffen is located in the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) region of the country, so named because of the silver ore deposits found there in the 12th century. In later centuries, as the silver and tin mines began to be exhausted, miners had to look for new ways to make a living—including woodcarving. Today Seiffen is an important center of the wooden toy industry, especially wood crafts relating to Christmas—nutcrackers, incense smokers, and Christmas pyramids.

This pyramid has four different levels, with figures placed on plates attached to a central spindle. A shepherd with his flock is at the top level, with a group of angel musicians just below. The next level features the Holy Family and three wise men, while at the bottom Santa Claus rides in his sleigh through an evergreen forest. All of these scenes rotate when the candles are lit.” (Ed and Kirsten Gyllenhaal, label text, “World Nativities 2020”)