| German wooden smokers or smoker men have an interesting history. First of all, they are made in the Ore Region of Germany, the Erzgebirge. Many years ago the area was known for its mining and the livelihood of virtually all the inhabitants was through mining. When the mining dried up, they were left with no real alternative source of income. | |
| The Erzgebirge is rich in forestry so the miners turned one by one to wood carving. They would carve their ornaments and their smokers and take them on their backs to peddle their wares in various towns and cities. In time the artistry of the wood carvers of the Erzgebirge became famous for the quality of their work was noteworthy. It remains so to this day. | |