Whether you're a serious collector or an admirer from afar, antique paper mache candy containers from Germany are still highly coveted, and even reproduced today. One of the last remaining native producers is Thomas Schaller, great grandson of noted craftsman Carl Schaller.

Following in his great grandfather's footsteps, Thomas uses the original molds Carl Schaller crafted in the 1890s. At the dawn of the 20 th century, Carl had a successful business creating much-loved holiday decorations. In keeping with the magic of the holidays, almost all of Schaller's antique figures served double duty: they were candy containers that had secret compartments that opened from the bottom or middle.

Carl's son, Ino continued his father's work after World Wars I and II. Consumer trends forced Ino to shift production to pressed cardboard figures and, in 1961, to plastic. Both Ino and his son Dieter produced plastic plush-covered figures through the 1970's and 80's.

By the mid 1980's, Thomas Schaller represented the newest generation of the family. While rummaging in his attic, he came upon his great grandfather's antique molds. With the help of his father and Dieter, Thomas learned mold casting and pouring paper mache. His sister Kristina, who had studied dressmaking and design, supervised the intricate painting of the Santas. Their mother cuts fabrics for trimming and handles the administration. Once complete, each item is dated, numbered and signed. Production is limited to a maximum of 600 per style.

When selecting any Schaller design, collectors can be assured of time-honored family craftsmanship and pride in holiday collectibles for generations to come.

Excerpted from "Paper Mache - the Schaller Way", Celebrate365, Holiday 2005 issue.