While military style nutcrackers can handle the toughest walnuts out there, they’re prized for their beautiful craftsmanship. With their intricate details and often imposing appearance, they are the perfect collectible for people of all ages and interests. In fact, people have been collecting the wooden sculptures for centuries, ever since they caught society’s attention in the early 19th century. Before then, carvers were focused on producing simple ornamental sculptures and not the visually stunning and sharply dressed soldiers most people are familiar with now.
What kinds of military nutcrackers are available to collectors?
These stoic figures can represent any of the military branches, from the Navy to the Army, and even the U.S. Marines. Some collections take hundreds, even thousands of dollars to get started, but that’s not the case with these Christmas decorations. A collector can find a nice selection of beautiful soldier decorations without spending all of their savings, and once a collector has an idea of which soldiers they want, they can move on to a variety of sizes and styles.
And there are plenty of styles to choose from. The classic being the toy soldier, adorned with medals and brandishing a wand or sword. Toy soldiers are a popular choice because they emphasize the sharp lines that distinguish them from common dolls. Toy soldiers are also easier to theme together as there is a standard aesthetic associated with military nutcrackers. While tradition isn’t everything, it is an important consideration for a collector. Also, because toy soldiers are so common, they come in a huge variety of sizes and themes. From a mere six inches to a towering height of six foot, they can be placed on a desktop, on top of a mantle, or by the front door to greet guests.
Some are dressed in classic soldier attire, with tall, fringed hats and shoulder pads, 18th century soldier uniforms and rugged boots. Some are more regal, like the intimidating palace guards. These special soldiers are often in possession of heavier weaponry, like polearms or battleaxes, and they tend to be larger. Some are more than mere soldiers and represent royalty among the decorative rank and file. Literally the king of all Christmas decorations, these sculptures are fitted with an ornate, jeweled crown, and they are armed with a dazzling scepter.
Military nutcrackers are often made with stark proportions that help them stand out among other decorations. Slim and tall sculptures are often three feet or taller, and they have exaggerated features like long legs and arms. They are a departure from most other sculptures and are sure to make a collection stand out while showing a patriotic theme.
These sculptures can be placed just about anywhere, and life size versions, made from durable, solid wood can even stand watch outside along a walkway or at an entrance gate. They are a regal addition to any collection.