The fragrant smoke will then rise and come out of the openings at the top of the smoker - all you have to do then is enjoy! These Lichtergestelle (literally scaffolding or light frames) were then decorated with boxwood, branches or paper, and candles.

Before the Second World War, Germany was the main producer of carillons. The war destroyed this monopoly.Beginning in the 1930s, a few large Christmas pyramid reproductions could be seen on display at Christmas markets in the Erzgebirge. By the 1950s there were still only about ten or so of these large-format displays in Germany, but today they are much more common. Many Christmas markets all across Germany now feature a large replica of a Christmas pyramid, some standing as high as 30 feet (9 meters) or more. Since 2014, Hanover has laid claim to Germany’s tallest replica, a 60-foot (18-meter) Christmas tower that people can even climb through. More than any other item from the Erzgebirge the Christmas pyramid expresses the Erzgebirge woodworking tradition, the love of the craftsmen for their homeland. Also the Christmas pyramids are an important element of the German Christmas tradition. During Christmas time one of course finds more Christmas trees than Christmas pyramids in German homes but the number of Christmas pyramids is also very high and is still growing continuously. Not actually pyramid-shaped, the Christmas pyramid is a kind of carousel with several levels, some depicting Christian motifs such as angels or manger scenes, and others with more secular motifs such as mountain-folk, forests, and other scenes from the everyday life of people in the Ore Mountains. The spinning motion of the pyramids is traditionally achieved with the help of candles whose rising heat spins a propeller above. Generally Christmas pyramids are made of wood and based on four- to eight-sided platforms with a long pole in the middle serving as the axle to which the entire apparatus tapers above and which supports any further platforms. Inside in a glass or ceramic support is a driveshaft on to which at least one platform is attached. The figures, which stand on the platforms are also traditionally made of wood. It is a classic Advent item, the earliest examples of which (dating from 1740) consisted of an iron arch with eleven candles on it. They were painted and displayed the sun, moon, and stars. One can imagine that the miners wished to represent the arc of heaven… at the bottom of the mine, they must have sighed for a sky that they did not see during the whole winter season!

Some handmade models are 60 centimetres or even a metre long. Three different types of Christmas pyramids The heat generated by the candles set in motion a propeller at the top of the pyramid. The trays located at several levels of the structure began to rotate.

We even have lovely pyramids that you can hang from the wall to fill any empty spots around your home or hang from the ceiling in front of a window for all to see. We offer an impressive selection for you to choose from. Once you receive yours, simply light the candles and the heat will cause the blades to spin, creating a stunning and unique visual effect.