Figures to order next year

Jan Vincker's original work consists of a vast number of thematic characters.

In this article I will present the production program for next year.

The figures can be ordered at the Christmas markets in Olomouc.

All of them will be on display and can be viewed at a stand near the large Nativity scene.

Bass

marked number 13 in the catalog

Basista

It wouldn't be me not to throw in something extra. There's a lot about bass in the past and history.

The double bass became firmly integrated into traditional folk music in Moravia and Silesia, including Wallachia, especially at the end of the 19th and during the 20th centuries, where it replaced earlier bass instruments (e.g. bagpipes or cello ).

As the largest stringed instrument, the bass served to maintain rhythm and a harmonic foundation, making it an indispensable pillar of bands, such as folk music formations called štrajchy.

Bass players in these ensembles thus represented the basic anchor for melodic instruments (violin, clarinet, dulcimer) and significantly contributed to the characteristic sound of regional folklore ensembles.

Violinist

Catalog number 14

Houslista

The violin was historically the most important melodic instrument in Czech and Moravian folk music, and the violinist, known as the primáš, always stood at the head of the musical ensemble (dulcimer music or štrajch).

The role of the prima ballerina went beyond playing the main melody; it was he who directed the entire music with gestures, determined the tempo, dynamics, key, improvised, and chose the repertoire.

While in Bohemia the violin was often accompanied by other instruments in wind or bagpipe music, in Moravia the prima's solo playing is typical of the Slovak and Wallachian regions, where it is decorated with specific regional ornaments and phrasing.

With a scythe

Catalog number 18

S ozembouchem

This instrument was and still is an essential element of folklore bands and is an integral part of the history of music making.

The ozembouch, also known as the vozembouch or bambas, is a traditional folk rhythmic instrument, whose origins probably date back to the Middle Ages. In its earliest documented form, it functioned as a simple bass rod, with a string stretched over a resonator (e.g. a cow's bladder) and played by a bow. This early form served as a rhythmic and harmonic anchor in musical compositions.

During the 19th century, however, the instrument lost its string and bass function and became purely percussive. The original resonator was replaced by a small drum, and tin cans, bells and cymbals were attached to a wooden pole. The name is derived from the characteristic way of playing, where the instrument is hit on the ground (slammed), which makes all the rattles and drum elements sound, making it a funny and noisy addition to bagpipe bands and traveling puppeteers.

Basket player

Catalog number 26

Košíkářka

Notice the basket on the basket maker figure. It's Jan's delicate work. I've sat with him in his workshop several times. Sometimes we have coffee together early in the morning. And we stopped by the basket once. The basket, well, when he showed me how he makes it, my jaw dropped. There's nothing to say.

And now a brief history of basketry. Basketry is a craft that is over 12,000 years old, and began as a necessary part of everyday life. It is older than pottery. For millennia, it was a necessity – you couldn’t do without a wicker basket. Baskets, nets and primitive protective elements were woven from wicker. Wicker was an easily available material, so almost everyone could weave.

Gradually, basketry developed into an independent craft, where mastery was valued. In the Czech lands (e.g. in the Mělník region), basketry symbolized the human ability to transform natural material into a useful and durable object.

Today, traditional basketry is valued for its quality and uniqueness. It guarantees handcraft and durability. Basketry represents the continuity of tradition and craftsmanship in the modern world.

With cakes

Catalog number 32

S koláčema

Tradition, all events that had some significance, have always been accompanied and still are by traditional cakes. And this figurine reminds us of this tradition. Cakes have always been an adornment of every event and there were women who were and are true masters of baking cakes. And now a bit of history of this tradition.

Cakes are much older than Czech cuisine. Their history dates back to the civilizations of ancient Babylon and Egypt. Originally, they were not just food, but a part of rituals and magic. The shape and filling of the cake had magical power and served to confirm promises. For example, the poppy seed filling was supposed to ensure fertility, and among the Slavs, eating a cake symbolized the conclusion of blood brotherhood. Thus, cakes were from the beginning associated with something more important than just food.

In the Czech and Moravian lands, cakes became a symbol of festive moments.

They have become an essential part of big events such as weddings, christenings or candlelight vigils. Originally, they were only baked on holidays. Today, we know them in many regional forms – from small wedding cakes, through Moravian round cakes, to the famous frgály in Wallachia.

Even today, as modern cuisines change, cakes remain a testament to artisanal tradition and family legacy. They are proof that even the simplest food has deep cultural significance.

Fisherman

Catalog number 42

Rybář

Myths – so I will continue with them. The figures that Jan has been sculpting for many years have a mythical meaning, even though the figure is modestly named The Fisherman. And it is a myth with enormous historical significance. In short, a few sentences about The Fisherman and fishing.

Fishing is one of the oldest human activities, dating back to the Paleolithic period, around 15,000 BC. Fish were an important source of food for survival. People used bone harpoons, and later fishing rods and hooks, as evidenced by finds from ancient cultures in China, Egypt and Greece.

In the Czech lands, the history of fish farming has a long tradition. The first written mentions of fish ponds date back to the late 10th and 11th centuries, when they were established mainly at monasteries and served for the breeding of carp as an important Lenten food. The golden age of fish farming came in the 15th and 16th centuries, when famous fish farming masters such as Štěpánek Netolický and Jakub Krčín worked. At that time, extensive fish pond systems were created, which shaped the landscape and ensured an abundance of fish.

Today, fishing is divided into pond farming and sport fishing. Despite modern times, fishing remains an important connection with nature and tradition.

With Christmas

Catalog number 44

S vánočkou

Jan gave me a list of characters to prepare a blog article and I have this Christmas tree. I know a lot about it in the years we've known each other. I just smile because the theme of the character is a traditional thing. Christmas tree, of course. It's not just an ordinary pastry. It's one of the oldest and most important symbols of Czech Christmas. Its knitted shape, reminiscent of a sleeping baby in a swaddling blanket or the sun, has been associated with abundance, fertility and new life for centuries.

Tradition dictates that the Christmas cake should be baked from a good yeast dough, rich in butter, egg yolks, raisins and almonds. The knitting process, although it seems complicated, is a meditative ritual. Originally it was knitted from nine strands, which symbolized the mutual cohesion and strength of the family.

Whether you bake your own Christmas cake at home and the scent of vanilla and lemon zest wafts through your home, or you get it from your favorite baker – treat yourself to this little ritual. It's not just about the taste, but about that unique moment of peace that Christmas brings. May this year's Christmas bring you happiness and wealth into the new year.

Pub

Catalog number 45

Hospodská

The work of the carving knife and chisel is beautifully visible. Who would have thought that someone could carve a morning glory? Jane, Jane, you are an unstoppable joker! I must admit that the figure of the pub lady with the beer and morning glans is calling for a feast.

During the festival season, old traditions come to life, and with them the role of the innkeeper, who becomes the guardian and driving force of these celebrations. It is she who lovingly and carefully prepares the festival feasts, which are an integral part of the local celebrations.

Her art is manifested in the preparation of classic dishes that fill the entire pub with their aromas – from golden-baked Powiat goose or duck, through traditional dumplings, sauerkraut, to delicious cakes and buns that taste like grandma's. The pub woman doesn't just cook food, she cooks memories and keeps the taste of childhood and home alive.

In addition to culinary mastery, she also takes care of the festive atmosphere. She greets guests, oversees the smooth running of the establishment, and ensures that everyone feels part of the joy and merriment of the festival. Thanks to her, the pub becomes the center of events during the festival season, where families and friends meet to celebrate the harvest and give thanks for abundance.

The innkeeper's wife is simply an indispensable part of the feast day tradition. She is the one who, with a smile and unwavering energy, contributes to ensuring that these old customs are passed down from generation to generation and that the feast day remains a true holiday for the entire village or town.

Palm

Catalog number 47

Palma

Hive

Catalog number 51