Description

The Nutcracker Ornament by P. Buckley Moss

Introduction

The Nutcracker Ornament by P. Buckley Moss brings ballet and Christmas together in an elegant oval composition. A young dancer in white reaches toward a small Nutcracker figure while balancing in front of a decorated Christmas tree, all set against a warm backdrop of rose, coral, pink, and lavender.

This limited, numbered porcelain ornament is supplied as a 2021 edition of 500, measuring 4-1/8 x 3-1/8 inches. The example offered by Canada Goose Gallery is new and mint, with box, pouch, and gold hanging cord.

Canada Goose Gallery’s approved inventory independently identifies the ornament as Product ID 55588, currently priced at $48, and classifies it under Ballet, Children, Music, and Women.

Story Behind the Artwork

The composition brings together three visual elements closely associated with The Nutcracker: a dancer, the Nutcracker figure, and a Christmas tree.

Rather than depicting a crowded stage, Moss concentrates the scene on a single dancer. Her body creates a sweeping diagonal from the extended leg through the torso and out toward the Nutcracker. The tree rises behind her, providing both a Christmas setting and a strong vertical counterpoint.

The result feels theatrical without requiring a detailed stage. The dancer, tree, and Nutcracker are enough to establish a recognizable world of Christmas performance and childhood imagination.

The image should not, however, be described as a documented scene from a particular production or as a specific named character unless Moss’s source material or certificate confirms that identification.

Symbols & Meaning

The Nutcracker figure and decorated tree establish the Christmas setting, while the dancer connects the artwork to ballet and performance.

Together, they can evoke holiday anticipation, imagination, childhood memories, music, dance, and the tradition of attending or performing in The Nutcracker.

The dancer’s reaching gesture can be read as affectionate or celebratory, but the artwork does not require an invented narrative about what she is thinking or feeling.

Likewise, themes such as courage, bravery, or transformation belong to interpretations of The Nutcracker story generally; they should not be presented as Moss’s intended message without a documented artist statement.

Artistic Details

The ornament’s vertical oval shape is especially well suited to the composition. The Christmas tree fills much of the upper field, while the dancer’s extended leg and reaching arm create opposing diagonals across its lower half.

Color is another distinguishing feature. Instead of relying on a conventional red-and-green Christmas palette, Moss surrounds the green tree with rose, coral, pink, lavender, and muted violet. The dancer’s predominantly white costume becomes a bright focal point against those warmer colors.

The Nutcracker itself is comparatively small. Its rigid vertical posture contrasts with the dancer’s curved, extended body, creating a visual dialogue between stillness and movement.

Small light-colored marks and garland-like details animate the tree without overwhelming the dancer, while the star-like detail near the hanging opening draws the eye upward.

Featured Master Collections

Primary Master Collection: Christmas Traditions

The decorated Christmas tree, Nutcracker subject, and ornament format make Christmas Traditions the strongest editorial placement.

Supporting Master Collection: Childhood & Storytelling

The combination of a young dancer, toy-like Nutcracker figure, and story-ballet association creates a natural connection to Childhood & Storytelling.

Ballet should remain an important product category rather than being turned into a Master Collection. CGG’s inventory explicitly categorizes this ornament under Ballet, Children, Music, and Women.

Decorating Ideas

The elongated oval shape and warm pink palette make The Nutcracker Ornament particularly effective on a ballet-themed Christmas tree, Nutcracker tree, pink-and-gold holiday display, child’s ornament collection, or traditional Moss tree.

It also lends itself to tabletop display on a small ornament easel in a music room, dance studio, child’s bedroom, or holiday vignette.

For a coordinated collection, pair it with other verified Moss Nutcracker artwork rather than surrounding it only with generic Christmas designs.

Gift Ideas

This ornament has unusually specific gifting possibilities. Consider it for a ballet dancer, dance teacher, ballet student, Nutcracker performer, music lover, theater family, P. Buckley Moss collector, or someone for whom attending The Nutcracker is an annual Christmas tradition.

It could also commemorate a first Nutcracker performance, first year dancing en pointe, dance recital, or special holiday theater outing.

About the Edition

Artist: P. Buckley Moss
Year: 2021
Medium: Porcelain ornament
Edition type: Limited, Numbered Edition
Edition size: 500
Product ID: 55588
Size: 4-1/8 x 3-1/8 inches
Orientation: Vertical oval
Current CGG price: $48
Condition: New / Mint
Presentation: Box, pouch, and gold hanging cord

🎨 Fun Fact:

America’s now-familiar tradition of seeing The Nutcracker at Christmas has a surprisingly specific milestone. On Christmas Eve 1944, San Francisco Ballet presented the first complete American production of Nutcracker. The company describes that performance as the beginning of a national holiday tradition, helping explain how a 19th-century Russian ballet eventually became so closely associated with Christmas celebrations in the United States.

---

🖼️ Collector’s Insight:

What distinguishes The Nutcracker Ornament is its strong relationship between format and movement. The tall oval gives the Christmas tree room to rise behind the dancer while her extended leg, lifted torso, and reaching arm sweep diagonally across the composition. The small upright Nutcracker provides a deliberate visual contrast to that movement. For collectors interested in Moss’s performing-arts subjects, this ornament also has unusually strong documented connections: CGG categorizes it under Ballet, Children, Music, and Women and carries several additional Nutcracker-themed Moss works that can build the image into a broader ballet collection.

Why Buy from Canada Goose Gallery

Canada Goose Gallery’s approved inventory identifies The Nutcracker Ornament as Product ID 55588, a limited, numbered porcelain ornament currently priced at $48.

The supplied example is new and mint and includes its box, pouch, and gold hanging cord.

Continue Exploring

• Nutcracker Prince Of Dreams Ornament — $48.
• Nutcracker Prince Of Peace Ornament – $48.
• Christmas Ornament Easel – $5.

For broader Christmas connections:

• Noel Noel Ornament — $175 is verified under Children and Christmas.
• Tree Lighting Ornament — $42 provides another Christmas-tree-centered porcelain ornament.

For related print images from the Nutcracker family:

• Nutcracker Prince Of Dreams ($50)
• Nutcracker Spanish Dancer ($50)
• Nutcracker Sugar Plum Fairy ($50)
• Nutcracker Waltz of the Snowflakes ($100)

Suggested Categories & Subjects:

• P. Buckley Moss Ornaments
• Ballet; Children
• Music
• Christmas

---

 “Christmas takes center stage.”