Father Christmas (Victorian era)

[arnoldo]

It is cloes to that time of year, and you guys always seem to have good info on historical costumes- any good sellers or sites for a very traditional Father Christmas for a big fat guy like me (4x)?
Thanks,
Arnie

 

[Indy Magnoli]

I'm actually doing something very similar to this on Friday (the day before St. Nicholas' feast day). I bought the hair and wig from a local wig website (www.wigfx.co.nz), but the rest is custom made. I'll try to post some pics after the day...

Kind regards,
Magnoli

 

[SgtFang]

Whichever design you want to go with two things will really help "sell" it-

The most realistic fur you can find, and heavy, HEAVY, richly colored velvet.

Good luck!

-Sarge

 

[SgtFang]

Hehe, just don't make him "too" historical, Santa used to be a pretty scary guy! :lol

In Germany's black forest, before Christianity came to the place, they had a legend about creatures called tomtin. These were wholly evil little dwarf-like creatures, who wore red (the color of blood). They would band together, pull a traveler to the ground and beat him.

The tomtin had a leader, though. He was known as Nacht Rupert. Nacht Rupert would sometimes come into villages taking a small army of tomtin with him, and could sometimes be seen peering into windows. He would often kill those he was watching, unless the people inside were keeping to the old faiths, in which case he would give gifts.

When the Catholic faith made it to the area, they were appalled at such a thing, and decided to replace the notion with a saint, who happened to be St. Nicholas. At first, though, this did not erase his sinister reputation. For some time, he was known as 'Buller Claus' (translates to 'Belled 'Nicholas') because of the chains and bells that he carried. When he approached a house, the tomtin went ahead to rouse sleeping children, drag them from their beds, and ask them questions on the Christian catechism. If they could not answer or answered incorrectly, the tomtin beat them with sharp sticks and chains while St. Nicholas pelted them with hard coal until they bled and the tomtin licked the blood from their wounds. If they were able to answer correctly, they were (grudgingly) rewarded with an apple or sweetmeat. Luckily, St. Nicholas would only come once a year, on a certain day in winter.

Later, the image of the tomtin softened, and they became 'Santa's little helpers' or 'Christmas Elves'. Also, things changed around a bit, and now it is Santa who wears the red (color of blood) suit.

Just think of that next time you see Santa at the shopping mall!

-Sarge

 

[arnoldo]

Sarge-
The Tomtin sound like my kids

Indy-
Your stuff is awesome, don't suppose you could just make me a robe?

Thanks,
Arnie

 

[Gatekeeper]

Nacht Rupert

It's Knecht Ruprecht which, IMO, sounds even more terrifying. He's supposed to be a kind of incarnation of the Devil, IIRC.

And it's also what Santa's Little Helper in the Simpsons is called over in Germany...:lol

 

[Jayn]

There's a very simple Victorian one here:

http://www.nightmarefactory.com/santa.html

appropriate name for the seller then..LOL

 

[Hedjii72]

Some other fine costumes there if you keep scrolling down! :love

 

[Hermes]

Why, Hedjii, aren´t you right!

 

[Capn_Jack_Savvy]

WHOA! Who would have thought Ms. Claus would look so....................WHOA!!!!!!!!!!!!

If I can find my buckle for my Santa belt I should be sporting a Santa Jack really soon!!! No a period piece but good enough for the holidays!

 

[arnoldo]

There's a very simple Victorian one here:

http://www.nightmarefactory.com/santa.html

appropriate name for the seller then..LOL

I saw those, but I am afraid that I need a bigger robe to fit my chest and shoulders- I have about a size 60 chest (no jokes, such as wish Mrs. Clause had a size 60, etc etc...).

 

[Darth Mule]

You may be out of luck on the off the shelf buys then. I don't know how many big and tall costume shops there are. I did a Victorian Show last year for a very small theatre with no money to purchase anything that didn't come from a thrift store. One of the actors had a 63" waist, and I felt bad that I couldn't find any pants for him. Luckily I managed a jacket and Vest that I borrowed from the shop at school, but I had to make him supply his own pants and shirt.

I think you're stuck spending some $$$ my friend.

 

[Indy Magnoli]

Well, here's my set up. Unfortunatley, we didn't get any really good photos, so this will have to do for now. There were a bunch of people taking photos at the "appearance" so hopefully I'll get some nicer shots soon.

This a very traditional St. Nicholas as Bishop of Myra. Some of you will certainly recognize my pectoral cross as the Cross of Coronado. Also I made the crozier in one afternoon using pieces of the same cross as well as the railing pieces of my 1:4 scale Ark of the Covenant.

Kind regards,
Magnoli

 

[arnoldo]

Well, here's my set up. Unfortunatley, we didn't get any really good photos, so this will have to do for now. There were a bunch of people taking photos at the "appearance" so hopefully I'll get some nicer shots soon.

This a very traditional St. Nicholas as Bishop of Myra. Some of you will certainly recognize my pectoral cross as the Cross of Coronado. Also I made the crozier in one afternoon using pieces of the same cross as well as the railing pieces of my 1:4 scale Ark of the Covenant.

Kind regards,
Magnoli

Awesome-
My chest size- 57"; neck 21", arm 34", waist 46".
When will it be ready?????

 

[shipscarver]

Marvelous story, thank you.