With the holidays coming up in just a few weeks, now is the perfect time to keep your eyes peeled for fantastic seasonal decor finds while shopping at estate sales. We spoke with experts on the best tactics for determining whether a vintage piece of holiday decor is worth buying and also asked them to chime in with their favorite brands to look for when shopping for the season.
Before making a purchase, you will of course want to inspect an item’s condition, says Samantha Stathis-Lynch of Samantha Ware Designs. “Given that some ornaments can date back a hundred plus years, be weary of anything being sold as ‘vintage’ that is in perfect condition,” she says. “If it looks too good to be true, it likely is!” Still, a true vintage piece should be in a usable state. “Ideally, it will have minimal wear and tear with only some abrasions or chipping paint,” Stathis-Lynch says. Unsure how old an item might be? Google can help you in a pinch. Simply look at the bottom of an item in search for a maker’s mark, and google that brand to determine whether the piece originated and when it may have been manufactured, Stathis-Lynch advises.
Keep an Eye Out for Vintage Ornaments
Trim your tree with beautiful hand painted glass ornaments from companies such as Christmas Classics, suggests Chris Clark, an avid vintage shopper, who likes the subtly hued pieces in particular. Stathis-Lynch refers to German Kugel ornaments, first made around 1830, as “perhaps the most famous of the vintage Christmas ornaments.” She adds, “Its earliest forms were often large glass spheres that were too heavy to be hung on a tree so they were hung from the ceiling instead.” Stathis-Lynch that Kugel ornaments, which became smaller and lighter over time, range in value, with figurines such as grapes being considered among the most special. “The balls are easy to come by and lower in price making them the perfect base for a tree of wreath,” adds Stathis-Lynch. Not sure if the ornament you stumbled upon is a Kugel piece or not? Look for a decorative top with subtle fluting or engraving, Stathis-Lynch shares.
In Box Vintage Commodore Christmas Classics Hand Decorated Glass Ornaments
Stathis-Lynch is also a fan of Czech mercury blown glass ornaments, which are handmade. “The ornaments’ center impression is reminiscent of a beautiful Christmas cookie cutter and because they are reasonably priced, they make a great backdrop for a tree or garland,” she explains.
Look for Stylish Mantel Decor Items
If you’re looking to add Christmas-specific touches to the mantel, Clark suggests keeping an eye out for vintage Italian nativity scenes from the 1960s in rustic wooden materials. “They always add history, patina, and ceremonial significance,” he says
Nativity Scene Christmas Village Miniature
For a more general holiday theme, candles and greenery are a timeless choice. “I’m increasingly drawn to the minimalistic aesthetic of simple greenery accented with antique candlesticks atop affordable vintage brass or silver serving platters,” Clark says, noting that brands such as Prince Regent by Benedict or Newport Silverplate are excellent options to look out for when shopping.
Decorate with Santa Figurines
Clark also likes to weave Santa figurines, such as 1950s Rushton Company pieces or those by Harold Gale, as well as nutcrackers. “Nothing sparks that holiday warmth quite like wooden nutcrackers gathered on a bar cart,” he says. Another Santa to look for is Another German piece that emigrated to the US through Pennsylvania and can sell for upwards of $400 is the vintage Belsnickels. A Sanata of sorts, this figurine depicts one of Saint Nicholas’s more slender and modest companions and is often clad in a fur trimmed jacket with a pointy hood and a long gray beard. Older iterations of the folklore character are more demure in nature with a simple brown or red jacket and black boots while the later versions may depict the classic green and red colorway of the holiday season and be carrying a small tree or wreath.
Stunning Simpich Santa Figurine Limited Edition
Will Hunt Lewis, owner of Hunt & Bloom, is partial to hand-painted Santa Clauses by Fenton Art Glass; the company closed in the early 2000s. “Their glass Santas were hand-painted, signed by the artists and were produced until the late 90s, with some as late as the early 2000s,” Hunt says. “While this may not technically be considered vintage by some hyper-purists, the demand is strong because the company no longer exists.” Hunt says that he collects all types of Santas, which he enjoys styling alongside wood, Polish glass, and papier-mâché.
Search for Cartapesta
Hunt also likes to look for vintage papier-mâché from Italy, or cartapesta, while at estate sales. “I love the art of papier mache and am fascinated by its use around the world in home decor,” he says. “Production ranges from furniture to accessories, and Italy is especially known for its cartapesta Christmas decorations which have been generally produced in Lecce and Puglia.”
2006 Nicol Sayre Papier-Mâché Nativity Scene
Stock Up on Special Dishware and Glasses
Many vintage enthusiasts, including Jeanne Van Dine of JL Studio Interiors, enjoy searching for Spode servingware, which is a popular collector’s item. “They have a really iconic turkey pattern that brings back holiday nostalgia,” Van Dine says.
Rare Copeland Spode Tiffany & Co Dish Set
Kaelyn Guerin, the lead designer with and founder of Haus Guerin, notes that other brands to search for to spice up your tablescape include Fostoria or Waterford, both of which are known for glassware and crystal pieces. These can be identified by maker’s stamps; turn a piece over to look for one of these brand markings.
No matter which types of pieces you choose to bring into your home this holiday season, you’ll certainly be equipped to design a unique looking, festive display.
Written by:
November 15, 2023 Updated 10:11 AM
Sarah Lyon is a Washington, DC, native living in New York City. As a freelancer, she frequently covers pieces pertaining to interior design, travel, and other lifestyle topics. Her pieces have appeared in outlets including Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest, MyDomaine, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and more. When she isn't writing, Sarah works with designers to help them style spaces for photo shoots (and can't stop rearranging and redecorating her own apartment, either!). She has a penchant for shopping secondhand and loves giving preloved pieces new life. Sarah’s own spaces have appeared on Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, Houzz, and Washingtonian.com. Her Dupont Circle apartment was featured in both the spring 2019 print edition of Small Space Decorating and the January 2019 print edition of Washingtonian Magazine.
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