December 2020

Christmas customs belong to the Ore Mountains like MZ to Zschopau.
The smoking man's custom began in the 18th century with the decline in mining. From that time on, house industries that made wooden toys and everyday items developed. Ferdinand Frohs and his nephew Gotthelf Friedrich Haustein are among the first creators of this Ore Mountain folk art mentioned by name.
The male shown is modeled after Karl Stülpner, who was transferred to Zschopau in 1784 as a soldier in the "Prinz Maximilian" infantry regiment.

In 2013 the smoker was added to the collection of Wildeck Castle as a gift.