{"product_id":"steinbach-german-wooden-incense-smoker-chimney-sweep","title":"Steinbach German Wooden Incense Smoker — Chimney Sweep Figure, Erzgebirge Tradition — Field Find","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHE FIND\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA hand-carved and hand-painted wooden incense smoker in the form of a chimney sweep, attributed to the Steinbach workshop of the Erzgebirge region of Germany. Top hat, painted mustache, dark-finished coat — a classic of the German folk craft tradition, found in very good vintage condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWHAT WE KNOW\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSteinbach is one of the most recognized names in German wooden folk art, producing nutcrackers, smokers, and ornaments from the Erzgebirge — the \"Ore Mountains\" of Saxony — where woodcarving has been a regional craft since the 15th century. Incense smokers (Räuchermänner) are hollow figures designed to hold a small incense cone; smoke rises through the figure's open mouth. This example depicts a chimney sweep in a dark-finished coat with top hat and painted facial detail. No original box; figure only. Functional smoker — cone not included.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHE STORY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe chimney sweep is one of the most enduring figures in German folk iconography — a symbol of good luck, traditionally believed to bring fortune to any home he visits. In the Erzgebirge tradition, the smoker figure was as much a talisman as a decoration. This one has clearly been kept with care.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWHY WE CHOSE IT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSteinbach pieces hold their value and their character. This figure has the dark, serious finish of an older production run — less bright and toylike than contemporary examples — which gives it a weight that works year-round, not just at the holidays.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PIECE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaker: Steinbach, Erzgebirge, Germany\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Very good vintage condition — paint intact, no chips or cracks noted. No original box.\u003cbr\u003eDimensions: [DIMENSIONS]\u003cbr\u003eWeight: [WEIGHT]\u003cbr\u003eQuantity: 1 — one of a kind.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Found in the Field","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47381276786873,"sku":"S054817","price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0782\/9438\/4825\/files\/84936EE9-F494-4EFB-9C57-A7518C12347B.jpg?v=1783107897","url":"https:\/\/foundinthefield.store\/products\/steinbach-german-wooden-incense-smoker-chimney-sweep","provider":"Found in the Field","version":"1.0","type":"link"}