Christmas Ornaments

About Antique and Vintage Christmas Ornaments

Until the mid-1800’s, Christmas trees were mostly decorated with homemade adornments or edibles like fruits and nuts. But the German entrepreneurs based in the glassblowing center of Lauscha had a better idea. They began producing decorative tree ornaments made out of blown glass. In the 1880s, F.W. Woolworth imported the first of these baubles into the U.S., triggering the American love affair with Christmas tree ornaments.

The first molded-glass Lauscha ornaments resembled fruits and nuts, presumably to replicate the tradition of putting the real things on trees. Glass pickles, of all things, were also produced. These were reportedly hung on trees in order to make a game of seeing which child could find it first—the reward was a year of good luck. Cookie shapes such as hearts and stars followed the food ornaments, while ornaments depicting children, saints, and animals appeared shortly after that...

Around the same time in northern Bohemia (now the Czech Republic), glassblowers were making what are now known as Gablonz ornaments out of silver-lined glass beads. Wire was used to string the beads together in a variety of shapes—from windmills and chandeliers to spiders and stars. Later, between the wars, transportation-themed ornaments appeared resembling boats, zeppelins, airplanes, and bicycles.

Meanwhile, in Dresden, beginning in about 1880, some nine different companies were making embossed cardboard ornaments, which are highly collectible today. Some were printed on just one side (referred to as "flat" by collectors) while others were printed on both ("double"). The most elaborate of the Dresden ornaments were those built of two molded pieces that had been glued together. Colors ranged from silver and bronze (to replicate the look of metal) to naturalistic hues (as you might guess, lobster ornaments were painted red).

Early catalogs by Dresden manufacturers such as Edvard Witte show menageries of common barnyard creatures as well as more exotic beasts—lions, polar bears, birds of prey. Eagles and owls were especially popular, and if you are in possession of an ostrich pulling a cart, then you own a particularly rare Dresden ornament. Flowers, fruits, and vegetables were common, but angels and other ornaments with religious themes were less so, making them more collectible today.

A particularly interesting subset of Dresden ornaments are those made between the 1930s and 1960s, reflecting the Soviet influence on that part of Germany. Some of these so-called Russian Dresdens seem oblivious to the political winds that swirled around them—a clown head, a man walking a dog, Puss ’n’ Boots—but when the ornament consists of a silver star with a hammer and sickle in its center from 1935, or a cute little waving Cosmonaut from 1960, the intended message is obviously more overt.

The handmade German ornament trade foundered after World War I, so American manufacturers filled the void, mass-producing ornaments that were sent to other companies to be decorated, often by hand. The largest of these symbiotic business relationships was between the Corning Company and Shiny Brite. In 1940, Corning was producing as many as 300,000 ornaments a day, which Shiny Brite decorated and packaged from 1937 until 1962—you can date the ones produced during World War II because their metal caps were replaced with cardboard ones to save metal.

Today, collectors of antique and vintage Christmas tree ornaments tend to focus on themes, periods, materials, or even shapes. For collectors of Shiny Brite in particular, a set of ornaments in its original festively colored box is also desirable.

About our sources | Got something to add?

▼ Continue reading

Interviews & Articles

An Interview With Antique Christmas Ornament Collector Jerry Arnold

About 42 years ago, my wife, Darla, went to a very large white elephant sale and found a box of antique Chris… [more]

An Interview with Antique Christmas Decorations Collector Dolph Gotelli

I grew up in a home without any antiques. As a small kid, I started decorating my parents’ home for Christm… [more]

Guest Column: A History of Dimestore Christmas Village Houses

The following is a history of these wondrous little artifacts called cardboard Christmas village houses -… [more]

Guest Column: A Guide to Christmas Antiques and Vintage Christmas Decorations

Ever wonder about that box of vintage Christmas decorations in the attic? From wooden nutcrackers to glass Ch… [more]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

Bohemian Christmas Decorations

Bohemian Christmas Decorations

This simple site showcases over 500 artistic Gablonz glass bead antique and vintage Christmas tree ornaments, made … [read review or visit site]

Papa Teds Place

Papa Teds Place

Theodore H. Althof, Jr's beautiful collection of vintage dimestore cardboard Christmas 'putz' village houses. Start… [read review or visit site]

Antique Christmas Lights Museum

Antique Christmas Lights Museum

George Nelson's incredibly detailed chronicle of vintage Christmas tree lighting. Browsable by decade and special t… [read review or visit site]

Old Soviet Christmas Cards

Old Soviet Christmas Cards

This site showcases over 1000 old Soviet Christmas and New Years cards from 1950 to 1990. Browse through page after… [read review or visit site]


Got a site to suggest? Let us know.




Clubs & Associations: Christmas


Other Great Reference Sites: Christmas

Are we missing one? Tell us.

Top eBay Auctions  Help | Get weekly Christmas Ornaments email

Sorted by        
Antique Old German Glass Ornament - Palmer Cox Brownie$355.00 Ends in 18 hours 11 bids 57 watchers
Wallace 1981 Candy Cane Ornament Complete With Box $300.00 Ends Monday 6 bids 24 watchers
Vintage Old German Glass Ornament - Three Faced Animal$266.00 Ends in 18 hours 11 bids 40 watchers
Antique German Blown Glass Clown Christmas Ornament$227.30 Ends Tuesday 4 bids 35 watchers
Antique Old German Dresden Ornament - Lady's High Boot$169.16 Ends in 21 hours 5 bids 30 watchers
23 Hallmark Star Trek Keepsake Ornaments$167.50 Ends in 20 hours 4 bids 11 watchers
Vintage Old German Glass Ornament - Angel With Child$167.30 Ends in 18 hours 5 bids 55 watchers
Vintage Old German Glass Ornament - Cat Head On Clip$164.50 Ends in 19 hours 9 bids 65 watchers
1992 Swarovski Ornament - Crystal - Original Box - Nr$158.50 Ends Monday 3 bids 15 watchers
Gorham Snowflake Ornament Sterling Charm Bracelet 1970$158.49 Ends Monday 9 bids 35 watchers
1994 Swarovski Crystal Ornament - Stand - Original Box$152.50 Ends Monday 2 bids 6 watchers
Hallmark Frosty Friends 1980 Cool Yule Ornament W/ Box!$150.00 Ends Sunday 14 bids 43 watchers
Buccellati Sterling Silver 2008 Christmas Ornament $149.99 Ends Sunday 1 bid 1 watcher
Antique Dresden Christmas Ornament, Wedding Slipper $149.54 Ends Sunday 6 bids 21 watchers
Vintage Old German Glass Ornament - Large Blowfish$125.50 Ends in 18 hours 9 bids 22 watchers
Buccellati Sterling Silver 2004 Christmas Ornament $125.00 Ends Sunday 1 bid 1 watcher
Buccellati Sterling Silver 2005 Christmas Ornament $125.00 Ends Sunday 1 bid 1 watcher
Vintage Old German Glass Ornament - Cat Head With Cap$124.50 Ends in 18 hours 6 bids 32 watchers
Waterford Crystal Christmas Ornament 1982$119.50 Ends Tuesday 8 bids 22 watchers
P. Buckley Moss "12 Days Of Christmas" Ornaments $112.50 Ends Wednesday 2 bids 6 watchers
Anitque Santa Claus Large Glass Ornament$108.50 Ends Sunday 13 bids 34 watchers
Rare 1890's Dresden Silver Slipper Christmas Ornament$103.50 Ends Monday 4 bids 30 watchers
Rare German Christmas Ornament Indian In A Canoe Nice$102.50 Ends in 2 hours 2 bids 7 watchers
Swarovski Crystal Snowflake Ornament 2004 Retired Nib$102.50 Ends Sunday 14 bids 19 watchers
1997 Swarovski Christmas Ornament New In Box$100.00 Ends Sunday 9 bids 17 watchers
German Dresden Victorian Bi Plane Feather Tree Ornament$99.99 Ends Thursday 2 bids 11 watchers
Wendell August Twelve Days Christmas Pewter Ornaments$99.99 Ends in 1 hour 1 bid 6 watchers
Antique German Dresden 3d Christmas Ornament Rifle $99.99 Ends Thursday 2 bids 8 watchers
Santa In A Barrel Antique Christmas Glass Ornament$92.01 Ends Sunday 12 bids 31 watchers
Antique Germany Mini Feather Tree & Ornaments * Pretty*$91.00 Ends in 20 hours 6 bids 35 watchers
Gorham Annual Sterling Snowflake Ornament 1980$90.00 Ends Friday 10 bids 4 watchers
Georg Jensen Christmas Ornament Pin 24kt Gold 1985 $77.57 Ends Sunday 5 bids 8 watchers
Antique Old German Ornament - Heubach Girl With Berries$77.00 Ends in 19 hours 8 bids 41 watchers
Tiffany 1996 Sterling Christmas Ornament$76.99 Ends Monday 6 bids 10 watchers
Wallace Silversmith 1985 "dove" Candy Cane Ornament$75.00 Ends in 21 hours 7 bids 8 watchers
12 Days Of Christmas Ornament Set - New In Box$73.00 Ends in 18 hours 1 bid 3 watchers
Vtg Mercury Glass Bead Icicle Xmas Tree Ornaments$71.00 Ends Tuesday 6 bids 13 watchers
1989 House Of Hatten 12 Days Christmas Drummer Ornament$71.00 Ends Monday 24 bids 12 watchers
Chimney Sweep Old German Cotton Christmas Ornament$69.00 Ends Sunday 1 bid 21 watchers
15 Antique & Vintage Christmas Ornaments Clip Birds$68.49 Ends Sunday 10 bids 28 watchers
Vintage Mma 1983 Sterling Silver Christmas Ornament~met$66.86 Ends Tuesday 4 bids 13 watchers
Antique German Bisque, Cotton Heubach Skater Ornament$66.00 Ends Sunday 4 bids 45 watchers
30 Vtg Mercury Glass Bead Icicle Christmas Ornaments$61.00 Ends Monday 15 bids 30 watchers
150+ Vintage Wood Wooden Christmas Ornaments Fabulous!$61.00 Ends Wednesday 13 bids 14 watchers
Hallmark Cookies Oven Kitchen Stove Christmas Ornament$61.00 Ends Sunday 16 bids 40 watchers
Tiffany & Co 925 Silver Teddy Bear Christmas Ornament$60.99 Ends in 22 hours 2 bids 10 watchers
Mib Versace Rosenthal Large Glass Nativity Ornament$59.95 Ends Monday 1 bid 1 watcher
Vintage Old German Glass Ornament - Two Kittens Basket$59.00 Ends in 19 hours 5 bids 21 watchers
Antique Hand Blown Glass Grass Hopper Xmas Ornament Nr$58.07 Ends Monday 7 bids 23 watchers
Mib Swarovski Crystal 2004 Snowflake Ornament 3" Boxes $58.00 Ends Monday 8 bids 30 watchers
H & H Sterling Ornament Set Night Before Christmas-nr$56.00 Ends Friday 2 bids 6 watchers
32 Vintage Pink Glass Christmas Ornaments Balls Icicles$56.00 Ends Monday 7 bids 13 watchers
Scooby Doo Tree Topper Christmas Ornament Warner Bros$56.00 Ends in 2 hours 25 bids 13 watchers
Chimney Santas Clause Jim Shore Christmas Ornaments$55.00 Ends Sunday 13 bids 3 watchers
10 Vintage Blown Glass Mushroom Christmas Ornaments$54.89 Ends in 22 hours 11 bids 5 watchers
250+ Colorful Christmas Ornaments Shiney Brite Poland $53.51 Ends Tuesday 3 bids 19 watchers
Vintage Shabby Pink Ornaments Bottle Brush Tree Angels$53.00 Ends Tuesday 2 bids 36 watchers
1979 Hallmark Here Comes Santa Ornament Qx1559 W/ Box$51.99 Ends Sunday 3 bids 18 watchers
Sterling Silver Star Bethlehem Cross Christmas Ornament$51.00 Ends in 2 hours 14 bids 7 watchers

»» Get our weekly Christmas Ornaments email
Right now on eBay



Recent News: Christmas Ornaments

Source: Google News

Dragonfly Gallery Classes
Pensacola News Journal, November 7th

N Learn how to paint on silk and make a new Christmas ornament next month at the Dragonfly Gallery. Santa Rosa County artists Linda Koehler and Sandi Lang...Read more

Red kettles out in Fox Cities
Fox11online.com, November 6th

“Usually a kettle that doesn't have a bell ringer, it's just a Christmas ornament," said Waugus. That's why the Salvation Army needs roughly 10000...Read more

Go! in brief
The Valley Chronicle, November 6th

By KARI HELTON/The Valley Chronicle Help create holiday spirit by crafting a Christmas ornament from a goose egg at a workshop held by the Good Eggers Guild...Read more

Most expensive Christmas ornament is one-of-a-kind
Examiner.com, November 6th

This Christmas ornament is made of 18 carat white gold with over 1500 diamonds encrusted on the surface surrounded by two red rings made of 188 rubies...Read more

City unveils new holiday ornament
Great Falls Tribune, November 6th

By Tribune Staff • November 6, 2009 An official city of Great Falls pewter Christmas ornament is available during today's First Friday Art Walk...Read more

Newark students design ornaments depicting American landmarks for White House ...
The Star-Ledger - NJ.com, November 6th

Mitsu Yasukawa/The Star-LedgerChancellor Avenue School eighth grader Beatrice Awosola on Wednesday pastes glue as she makes her Christmas ornament that...Read more

Holiday festivities to light up wine trails
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, November 5th

Ticket holders will receive a handmade grapevine wreath at their starting winery and collect a Christmas ornament at each of the eight member wineries...Read more

Easter Seals unveils new ornament
Albany Herald On-line, November 2nd

ALBANY - The 10-point buck featured on Easter Seals Southern Georgia's 2009 Christmas ornament will have most avid hunters wishing for such a prize on their...Read more

Christmas

See also

Tools