Created by the Merck Family Old World Christmas Company Item #24049 - Vintage Snowman Glass Ornament - 3.25 inches tall The Merck Family's Old World Christmas was founded by Tim and Beth Merck, a couple who shared a special love for Christmas, especially its rich traditions in the European style. The Mercks are credited with revitalizing the art of mouth-blown fine glass ornaments as a result of their reintroducing figural designs to the United States in 1979. Each figural glass ornament produced for The Merck Family's Old World Christmas is hand crafted in age-old tradition using the same techniques that originated in the 1800's. Molten glass is mouth-blown into finely carved molds available only to the Merck Family's Old World Christmas, before a hot solution of liquid silver is poured inside. The ornaments are then hand-painted and glittered in a series of labor-intensive steps to achieve the beautiful creations.