Nutcracker doll

In German tradition, the dolls are symbols of good luck, frightening away malevolent spirits.

[1] Friedrich Wilhelm Füchtner [de] (1844–1923), commonly known in Germany as "father of the nutcracker", began the first mass production of the design (using a lathe) at his workshop in Seiffen in Saxony during 1872.

[1] The ballet, introduced to America during the mid-20th century, became a favorite holiday tradition across the United States[1] and helped make nutcracker dolls a Christmas decoration and a seasonal icon across Western culture.

[2] Nutcracker dolls traditionally resemble toy soldiers, and are often painted in bright colors.

[2] More recent variations have been made to resemble various pop-culture or historical figurines, from Benjamin Franklin to Operation Desert Storm-uniformed American soldiers.