This item is an antique Black Forest hand-carved wood nutcracker, crafted in the form of a gnome. This folk-art piece is often attributed to the Black Forest region of Germany and was popular in the early to mid-20th century, with many examples dating specifically to the 1930s. Origin: German Black Forest style, sometimes associated with the Brienz region in Switzerland or Erzgebirge in Germany. Material: Usually carved from walnut or cherry wood. Design: A "lever" style nutcracker where the gnome's lower jaw moves to crack the nut when the back handle is squeezed. Size: approximately 9.5 inches tall. Condition: commensurate with age.