Small Book Vase — The Nutcracker

Description:

A small ceramic vase shaped like a navy book, open along the top where the pages would be. The cover is scattered with gold and silver stars and the figures of the story: a nutcracker soldier in his crown, a swan, a drum, a cannon, wrapped gifts, a dancer in a white skirt and wings, and the Mouse King with his crown and sword. The spine repeats the title in gold script with the nutcracker and the dancer, and the back carries the same night sky.

The Nutcracker is the story of a girl named Marie whose nutcracker doll comes alive on Christmas Eve to lead her toys against an army of mice. In Hoffmann's original tale the Mouse King is no ordinary mouse. He has seven heads, each wearing a small gold crown, and when the Nutcracker finally defeats him he brings Marie the seven crowns as a trophy. The ballet gave him one head; the book gave him seven.

Why you'll love it:

• Holds a few stems of greenery, winter berries or a small posy at Christmas
• Sits flat on a shelf like a book the rest of the year, or holds pens and brushes on a desk
• Navy, gold and silver, so it reads as winter rather than only December
• Every figure from the story on one cover, small enough to spot one at a time

Perfect for: a December mantel, a hall table, a teacher or a hostess, or anyone who goes to the ballet every year.

Details:

• Material: Ceramic
• Weight: 1.11 lb (0.5 kg)
• Holds water; hand wash

A small vase for a few stems, and a story for the long nights.