Wednesday, September 9, 2009

A History of Snowbabies




Do you know where Snowbabies originated? One theory dates back to 1893 when polar explorer Admiral Robert Peary was living in Greenland at the time. During this period of time, his newborn daughter Marie was called Ah-poo-Mic-kaninny, meaning "snowbaby" by the Eskimos, due to her snow-white skin. The second theory traces Snow Babies to sometime in the late 19th century Germany when "sugar dolls" were a favorite confectionery decoration.

Several snow baby collectors are familiar with antique German snowbabies or Japanese snowbabies. Snowbabies figurines date back to the very early 1900’s. Right around the beginning of 1905, German artisans carefully painted each snowbabie by hand. Japan also began to produce snowbabies just before World War II, but they were of a lesser quality than those made in Germany.

Today the very popular Snowbabies by Department 56 are in high demand by collectors. Kristi Jensen Pierro, designer of Snowbabies, has been drawing Snowbabies for the past 22 years. She gets her inspiration for these whimsical characters from the activities of small children.

Manufactured by Department 56, these charming porcelain bisque collectibles have been meticulously crafted with hand-painted faces and hand-applied frosty bisque crystals.

Quote of the Day - "One's destination is never a place but rather a new way of looking at things." - Henry Miller

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