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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...
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.
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Interviews & Articles
Vintage Christmas Ornaments, From Cardboard Dresdens to Silvered Kugels
About 42 years ago, my wife, Darla, went to a very large white elephant sale and found a box of antique Christmas ornaments. She t… [more]
The Charms of Christmas Ephemera and the Changing Face of Santa Claus
I grew up in a home without any antiques. As a small kid, I started decorating my parents’ home for Christmas. I don’t know what i… [more]
A History of Dimestore Christmas Village Houses
The following is a history of these wondrous little artifacts called cardboard Christmas village houses - a history devoted to est… [more]
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 Christrmas tree ornamen… [more]
Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)
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
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
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
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]
Other Great Reference Sites: Christmas
Top eBay Auctions
Swarovski Crystal Lot Of 14 Christmas Ornaments 1994 Through 2007
1920s Daffodil Basket. Fabulous Flower Themed German Glass Ornament. 
Early 1920s Squirrel With Pine Cone. Unusual German Glass Christmas Ornament
8 Towle Sterling Silver Christmas Ornaments 1972 To 1980
Early 1920s Square Sided German Cottage. Unusual Glass Christmas Ornament
Vintage Hand Painted Mirrorettes Dun-lap Mfg Mirror Christmas Ornaments & Box
Lot Of 82 Boxed 1950's Vintage Poland Christmas Tree Ornaments 7 Boxes 
1920's Vintage Zeppelin Zr3 Glass Christmas Ornament
Gorham 1970 Sterling Silver Double "snowflake" Christmas Ornament 
Swarovski 2011 Annual Snowflake Ornament 20 Year Anniversary #1092037 Nib
Lot Of 5 Reed & Barton Christmas Cross Sterling Ornaments- 90, 91, 92, 93,and 94
50 Teddy Bear Light Up Christmas Ornaments
Vintage Shiny Brite Small Stencil Silkscreen Christmas Tree Ornaments Rare Pink
...old German Sebnitz Wire Wrapped Baby Bed Ornament
Vintage 80s 1983 Mma Die Cut Sterling Silver Christmas Ornament Snowflake Large
1982 Mma Metropolitan Museum Art Sterling Silver Christmas Ornament Snowflake Lg
1981 Mma Metropolitan Museum Art Sterling Silver Christmas Ornament Snowflake Lg
1985 Mma Metropolitan Museum Art Sterling Silver Christmas Ornament Snowflake Lg
Swarovski 2010 Annual Edition Snowflake Ornament Nib #1041301
Waterford Crystal 1985 Two Turtle Doves Christmas Ornament
Tiffany & Company Crystal Christmas Ornament~star Snowflake~germany
Gorham Sterling Christmas Ornament 1982
1995 Buccellati Gold And Silver"fiocco Di Neve" Christmas Ornament. Nice!!!
1920s Blue Rose. Elegant Glass German Glass Ornament
Ultra Rare Vintage Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Fishing Pole Rod Ornament 6 3/4"
Swarovski Crystal 2003 Ornament
Early 1900s Shark With Spun Glass Tail. Glass German Xmas Ornament
Lot Of 2 Gorham Sterling Christmas Ornaments- 1970 And 1976
Vintage Spun Cotton Monkey With Pipe Ornament Russian/german Folk Art Mica
Lot Of 6 Waterford Crystal Annual Christmas Ornaments In Box
Wallace 1971 Rare Sterling Silver 1st Edition "peace Doves"christmas Ornament 
Thomas Kinkade Old World Santas Set Of 6 Ornaments 2003 Christmas
Early 1920s Large Pink Grape Cluster.wonderful German Glass Christmas Ornament
Wallace 1974 Sleigh Bell Christmas Ornament With Festive Toys
Lot Vintage Mercury Glass Christmas Ornaments Poland Germany Indent Shiny Brite
Gorham Annual Sterling Snowflake Ornament
Towle 12 Days Of Christmas Ornament Set
1973 Towle Sterling Silver Christmas Ornament 2 3/4" X 2 1/4" With Chain/1.74 Oz
Vintage Limited Ed. 1979 Reed & Barton Sterling Silver Christmas Cross Ornament
Vintage Hand Painted Poland Round Mercury Glass Indent Christmas Ornaments
Rare Merman 'december Diamonds' King Conch Collectible Ornament 
Older Sterling Santa In Wreath Christmas Ornament Or Pendant By Valerio /2in/36g
Waterford Crystal 1996 12 Days Of Christmas Turtle Dove Ornament 2nd Edition
Wallace 1973 Sterling Silver 3rd Edition "peace Doves" Christmas Ornament 
Rare Antique Blown Glass Caroling Frog Christmas Tree Ornament
Hand & Hammer (h&h) Santa On Sliegh " Sterling Silver Christmas Ornament
Wallace 2012 Silver Plated Annual Sleigh Bell Ornament Nib
Swarovski Crystal Christmas Ornament 2007 Annual Edition Swarovski 
Waterford Holiday Heirlooms Elements Star Ball Christmas Ornament
Wallace 1972 Sterling Silver 2nd Edition "peace Doves" Christmas Ornament 
Gorham Sterling Christmas Ornament 1979
Gorham Sterling Christmas Ornament 1977
Vintage Mintjapanese Miniature Christmas Balls Ornaments
12 Vintage Shiny Brite Glass Christmas Tree Ornaments Stripes Double Indents
1982 Reed & Barton Christmas Ornament Sterling Silver
Vintage Towle Sterling Silver Large Oval Butterfly Pendant Ornament Medallion
Wallace Silverplate Christmas Sleigh Bell Ornament 1974 Festive Toys
Vintage Shiny Brite Christmas Ornaments
12 Vintage Stenciled Shiny Brite Christmas Ornaments 2 3/4" Toys Church Bell
Christmas Tree Ornament Vintage Bird Shaped Lot Of 3
Recent News: Christmas Ornaments
Source: Google News
State Capitol Christmas ornament to celebrate black bear's recovery
Daily Comet (blog), May 21stUnveiling the ornament at 3 p.m. .today in the House chamber will be House Speaker Chuck Kleckley and officials credited with helping to protect the bears. They include Public Service Commissioner and former state senator Foster Campbell; Executive...Read more
Freeze column: 12th annual Bare Bones 5K even more special than normal
Salisbury Post, May 19thSomebody is going to get a gigantic Christmas ornament for a May race. Come out and join the celebration as we honor the Salisbury's Police and Fire personnel as well as the military, both veterans and currently serving. Pass the word. We would love to...Read more
Ferguson, Zimmerman to wed Saturday
LaGrange Daily News, May 17thA “Christmas ornament” party on Dec. 23 hosted by Claire Acree, Lia Conrad and Lauren Wagner at Cleo Ceramics. • A “Miscellaneous” shower was held Feb. 15 at the home of George and Mary Lynn Childress. Also hosting were Terry and Ginger Booton,...Read more
'NOS4A2': draining the potential from his young victims
The Seattle Times, May 17ththe “Locke & Key” graphic novels with Hill, avoid portraiture; instead, they offer visions of objects encountered along the plot's complex, winding path: an IV bag full of blood, a motorcycle wrench, an autopsy hammer, a shattered Christmas ornament...Read more
Fleeing Oregon Suspect Begs Cops To Save Him From Columbia River
Huffington Post, May 16thWagner was arrested in Southington, Conn. after allegedly stabbing a woman with a Christmas ornament while fleeing from a craft fair vendor that accused her of shoplifting. The victim tried to block Wagner's escape, but was slashed with a seashell...Read more
Christopher Radko Gallery Presents the 2013 Christopher Radko Charity ...
PR Web (press release), May 16thThe Radko Celebrate Martha Christmas ornament, featuring a gorgeous and classic Old World Santa Claus dressed in sage green robes, is very special to Christopher Radko CEO Heather Richardson. She created the Celebrate Martha ornament in honor of...Read more
A screaming good time
The Advocate, May 15thOn May 7, 20 Beta Club students from Verda toured Celtic Media Centre, where the fifth- through seventh-graders visited the mixing room, the screening room and set warehouses and made Christmas ornament props for the upcoming holiday film “Papa Noel...Read more
Cop was threatening not threatened trial hears - Simcoe.com
Simcoe.com, May 15thNevill was called to the Bayfield Mall to investigate a broken Christmas ornament, but the situation quickly escalated into a violent takedown, court has heard. In the video, Stern is bleeding from his head while he is pinned to the ground by two...Read more