Prunes, a bringer of good luck

These three Marguerite Angels have settled themselves down comfortably in this cozy setting. While the first polishes the Christmas tree topper, the second takes care of the ornaments for the Christmas tree. The third in the group, our Marguerite Angel with

Prune Doll and and Ladder, is holding a ladder in one hand and a small figure known as a prune doll in the other. We explain the meaning behind this in our “Typical German” section.

In Dresden and the surrounding region the prune doll is closely associated with Christmas traditions and is sold every year at its famous Christmas market, the “Dresdner Striezelmarkt”. It is a sweet treat modelled in the shape of a chimney sweep. The prune doll is made from about 14 dried prunes, some wooden skewers, a painted paper ball for its head together with a cardboard top hat, and a shoulder cape and ladder made from cardboard and covered in metal foil.

The history of this figure probably goes back to the 18th century. The first written reference to it is to be found in 1801. At this time girls and boys, so-called “Striezel Children”, sold prune dolls at the Dresdner Striezelmarkt as lucky charms and sweet treats for Christmas. The figure is modelled on the orphan children clad in black capes and hoods who were sent into the chimneys of houses to clean them from the inside. The prune doll remains a symbol of good luck and a popular souvenir from the “Dresdner Striezelmarkt”. With our Marguerite Angel you, too, can bring this lucky charm into your home.