Skip to main content Skip to main navigation
heart-solid My Visit Donate
Home Smithsonian Institution IK development site for ODI
Press Enter to activate a submenu, down arrow to access the items and Escape to close the submenu.
    • Overview
    • Museums and Zoo
    • Entry and Guidelines
    • Museum Maps
    • Dine and Shop
    • Accessibility
    • Visiting with Kids
    • Group Visits
    • Overview
    • Exhibitions
    • Online Events
    • All Events
    • IMAX & Planetarium
    • Overview
    • Topics
    • Collections
    • Research Resources
    • Stories
    • Podcasts
    • Overview
    • For Caregivers
    • For Educators
    • For Students
    • For Academics
    • For Lifelong Learners
    • Overview
    • Become a Member
    • Renew Membership
    • Make a Gift
    • Volunteer
    • Overview
    • Our Organization
    • Our Leadership
    • Reports and Plans
    • Newsdesk
heart-solid My Visit Donate

Belsnickel Figure

American History Museum

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
View manifest View in Mirador Viewer

    Object Details

    Description (Brief)

    "Belsnickel" figure made of painted wood. Figure is dressed in a long brown coat with ermine, with hemline, cuffs, and border of hood lined in red, and black boots. The figure's eyes, cheeks, and wrinkles are clearly defined by painting and carving. White beard is also carved and painted. The left arm is bent at elbow, clenched flat holding a whip, and a pack on back. Possibly made in Pennsylvania.

    Location

    Currently not on view

    Credit Line

    The Eleanor and Mabel Van Alstyne American Folk Art Collection

    Date made

    19th century

    ID Number

    CL.65.1150

    catalog number

    65.1150

    collector/donor number

    T-39

    accession number

    261195

    Object Name

    Figure

    Physical Description

    paint (overall material)
    wood (overall material)

    Measurements

    overall: 89 cm; 35 1/16 in

    place made

    United States: Pennsylvania

    location where used

    United States

    See more items in

    Culture and the Arts: Folk Art
    Cultures & Communities
    Art

    Data Source

    National Museum of American History

    Subject

    Holidays and Celebrations, general
    Christmas
    Christianity
    Santa Claus

    Metadata Usage

    CC0

    Link to Original Record

    https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a4-b518-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

    Record ID

    nmah_661699

    Discover More

    Santa Claus on a shopping bag.

    Must Be Santa

    arrow-up Back to top
    Home
    • Facebook facebook
    • Instagram instagram
    • LinkedIn linkedin
    • YouTube youtube

    • Contact Us
    • Get Involved
    • Shop Online
    • Job Opportunities
    • Equal Opportunity
    • Inspector General
    • Records Requests
    • Accessibility
    • Host Your Event
    • Press Room
    • Privacy
    • Terms of Use