German Weihnachtsmann figurine circa 1900

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, German artisans began producing figurines, typically about a foot tall, of Weihnachtsmann.  The face and hands were composition, typically red clay, with painted features.  The hair and beards were generally made of rabbit fur, the clothing was fabric cut and sewn to size and the boots were composition painted black.  This figurine, dressed in a waist-length red coat, blue pants and tall black boots, is known today as the “Woodsman Santa.”