A hand-painted West German import, this jolly elf wears blue-and-white striped overalls, his long spun-cotton beard giving him an unmistakable gnome-like charm.
Materials: Fabric, celluloid
Dimensions: Approx. 5" long (varies with hat position)
Origin: West Germany
Era: Vintage, 1960s
Condition: Vintage condition — Red Nose is complete with mallet; Orange Nose has lost his mallet, only the string remains. Please review photos closely before purchasing, as all sales are final.
This rare mid-century elf came labeled hand-painted, West Germany, with a celluloid face and a jingle bell tucked into his pointed hat. Available in two nose colors — one with a red nose carrying his mallet, the other with an orange nose who has since lost his.
A great pair for a gnome or elf collection, or a single playful addition to your tree or wreath.
West German ornament makers were known for combining fabric bodies with celluloid faces during the mid-20th century, a hybrid technique that gave figures like this elf a more lifelike expression than all-fabric designs. Gnome and elf figures were a popular theme in postwar German holiday exports, drawing on centuries of European folklore.
We carry a wide selection of vintage elves, gnomes, and pixies — well worth a look if you're building out a themed tree.
