I'm a collector of different things, but the Memories of Santa Collection is not among them which is not surprising as it was sold in the USA. In fact I had never heard of it before. It's a collection of Santa ornaments from earthenware. The interesting part for me is that it was "inspired by antique chocolate molds, early chromolithographs, vintage advertis(e)ments, and turn-of-the-century post cards" and that "the designs and legends have been carefully researched and historically documented".
Just the other day I stumbled upon this post by Crazy Poppet Creations on Facebook: "I have my very own creepy Santa. It belonged to my Daddy and he would have it on the mantel in the living room. We both used to wonder why the kid was toting around a head....
Do you know the answer? I do. Curious to see who else knows."
That made me curious, too. It does look a little creepy.
Of course it's not a head. The solution to the mystery was on the box.
Now I was even more curious and tried to find out more about the tradition of wearing masks, but alas, I couldn't find anything. I wonder why it has stopped. Could it be because Santa masks are so often incredibly creepy? And what's up with that? Why are they so creepy?
I promise I will try to find out more. Who knows, maybe I'll have an answer to it in next year's advent calendar!
Anyway, I'd like to thank Crazed Poppet Creations again for this contribution.
The statue does look creepy to me too.
ReplyDeleteI never heard of the "Memories of Santa Collection" maybe a good thing. :)
Actually I found something in a European online shop that looks a lot like these, but it didn't say if it's a different series.
DeleteMask were popular during Victorian times and up until the 1950s if I recall right. And, I recently learned that masking was more of a Thanksgiving thing in the New York area of the US until around the 1940s!!
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting, thank you, Debbi!
DeleteI live in the US and haunt Christmas stores, but had not heard of this collection. How did I overlook it? Never heard of the mask thing either.
ReplyDeleteToo many Christmas items, too easy to miss something perhaps?
DeleteNow you will probably see them everywhere! ;-)
Carole, I just saw your reply and wanted to tell you that this collection was discontinued a while back. You can find them on Ebay. There were literally hundreds of santas in this collection.
DeleteThat is kind of creepy.
ReplyDeleteNothing compared to some of the Santa masks that are out there now, though ...
DeleteI'm imagining a Christmas party where all of the guest are wearing creepy Santa masks. Kind of a Christmas version of carnival, I guess!
ReplyDeleteOn a serious note, I do so enjoy learning about Christmas traditions that I was not aware of until you started your Advent calendar, Cat.
I would so go to such a party!
DeleteGlad you like it, Dawn :-)