Yule Lad no. 11 of 13

Doorway Sniffer - Yule Lad Ornament

Name: Doorway Sniffer - Yule Lad Ornament
Brand: The Icelandic Store
SKU: YULE000004
Price: 25.90 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

Gáttaþefur, the eleventh Yule Lad (22 December) · hand-painted hanging ornament designed by Brian Pilkington · about 7.5 cm (3 in)

$25.90

For whoever does the Christmas baking. Hang him near the kitchen: he is bent forward in profile with his eyes shut and his long nose poking out past the edge of the ring, as if the smell has just reached him.

Following his nose

Shown side-on, bent forward, eyes closed
His long nose pokes out beyond the ring, over the start of his own name
One hand at his beard, the other gripping the top of the ring
Shaggy brown-red waistcoat, red-striped sleeves, grey breeches and tan leggings

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Nose first, eyes shut
Comes on 22 December, for the baking
Shown in profile, side-on to the ring

Description

Gáttaþefur, the Doorway Sniffer, is the eleventh of Iceland's thirteen Yule Lads and comes to town on 22 December. The National Museum of Iceland says he is easily recognised by his huge nose, and that he loved the smell of cakes and laufabrauð, the Christmas lace bread, and tried to steal one or two.

On this ornament he is bent forward in profile with his eyes shut, his nose poking out past the red ring. Painted by hand on both sides and about 7.5 cm (3 in) by the maker's measure, he hangs from a gold-coloured cord. A Brian Pilkington design for Sólarfilma, boxed with an English booklet.

Product facts

Character: Gáttaþefur (Doorway Sniffer, also Door Sniffer), the eleventh of the 13 Yule Lads
Comes to town: 22 December
Size: about 7.5 cm (3 in), by the maker's measure
Design: Brian Pilkington
Brand: Sólarfilma
Finish: painted by hand, back as well as front
Hangs from: a gold-coloured cord loop
In the box: the ornament in a clear window box, with a small booklet in English about the 13 Yule Lads and the Yule Cat
Good to know: a decoration, not a toy
EAN: 5690666911113

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Why you'll love it

Two days before Christmas EveHe is the eleventh of thirteen and comes on 22 December, drawn from the mountains by the smell of the baking.
The nose is the characterThe National Museum says he is easily recognised by his huge nose, and Brian Pilkington made it the first thing you see.
For families with Icelandic rootsOne reviewer, whose mother's family came from Iceland, has always loved the Yule Lads and their antics each December.
A visit, remembered each yearAnother customer bought these ornaments to remember a trip to Iceland, and says they bring it back every Christmas.
No bill at the doorUS and Canadian duties and taxes are settled at checkout.

Family-owned since 2013Run by two brothers in Iceland

2,600+ verified reviewsRated 4.9 out of 5

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Questions people ask before they buy

What is he sniffing for?

Christmas baking. The National Museum of Iceland says he loved the smell of cakes and laufabrauð, the Icelandic Christmas bread called lace bread or leaf bread in English, and always tried to steal one or two.

Is it Door Sniffer or Doorway Sniffer?

Both are used. The National Museum of Iceland's English pages have called him Door Sniffer; the booklet in his box says Doorway Sniffer. In Icelandic he is Gáttaþefur, the name on the ring.

What does he look like from behind?

Just as finished. Turn him round and you see his shaggy waistcoat, the red stripes on his sleeves and his heel resting on the ring.

How many ornaments are there in the series?

Fourteen: the thirteen Yule Lads and the Yule Cat, each sold on its own. One reviewer bought three, liked them enough to order the rest, and now hangs the whole family.