HL520GC: Nodding Santa/Clockwork  This is a wonderful, early German Santa or Father Christmas, originating from the Sonneberg area of Germany. This fabulous Father Christmas may have been a small store display, or even an elaborate display for the home. Only wealthy collectors at the time would have invested the money in something so extravagant as this clockwork Santa. Paper mache body with some plaster reinforcement under the coat, near the keywind hole. This may be original; I'm not sure. There is a dent near the keyhole area, but the key still inserts very well and the figure can be wound so that, when his head is placed properly on the wire stems inside the neck, his head rocks back and forth, back and forth, for an extended period of time. His fabulous face shows some darkening around the nose, mouth and cheeks, due to age. Some chips to paint finish on fingers and a small chip to tip of thumb on one hand. Original butterscotch colored robe or coat, with cotton cord tie at waist. Mica dusted for sparkle. Molded, black painted boots. Mica accented wooden base. He hold a wonderful goose feather tree with cotton string woven candles. His bag of glass balls are also original. Some crazing or cracking to painted finish under his hood, at forehead--fairly minor. Possible reinforcement with plaster under one shoulder, but this shows a lot of age, so may have been the way he was made. He stands 18" tall from the tip of his hood to the base. A great early piece with definite age!
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