This papier-mâché Santa Claus candy container dates from the post-World War II period, between 1946 and 1949.
The "US Zone" stamp visible on the bottom and inside refers to the American occupation period in Germany immediately after the Second World War.
Beautiful specimen in very good condition with lid.
Size: 28 cm
Allied occupation: After World War II, Germany was divided by the Allies into four zones: an American, British, French, and Russian zone.
Origin marking: Products made in the American zone for export (such as toys, Christmas decorations, and candy containers) had to be marked with "US-Zone" or "Made in US-Zone Germany" to indicate which occupation zone they came from.
Dating: Because the occupation zones ceased to exist in 1949 (when the Federal Republic and the GDR were formed), you can be certain that an item with this marking dates from a very specific and short timeframe of approximately 1945–1949