Erzgebirgische Volkskunst Richard Glässer was originally a family business founded in 1932 when Richard Glaesser started as an independent tradesman in Seiffen, an area of the Erzgebirge. When he added wooden figures to his list of wares, he quickly understood their popularity and, in the 1940s, the company began making the figures in-house. Glaesser had always insisted that his figures maintain a friendly appearance and be of the highest quality while remaining affordable. As in the past, all the figures are still based on traditional motifs—from fairy tale figures to miners and angels. Since its inception, the company has grown and expanded its array of products to become a leading maker of turned-wood figures (including smokers and nutcrackers), nativity scenes, candle arches and music boxes.