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as glass inserts. Smaller baskets, sometimes with an One of the nicest inherent aspects of a bride’s
accompanying spoon, or rigaree (horizontal bands basket is that, in addition to being lovely to look
of applied glass embellishments), were used for at, the basket can actually continue to perform its
marmalade and sweetmeats. These had a deeper original function. Place one on the table, and fill
“cup” shape, ideal for holding in their somewhat it with fruit. Or flowers. Or brownies. But don’t
sloppier contents. stop there. Bring it in the bathroom – finally, an
The most visually interesting variations occurred in attractive repository for those tiny guest towels. For
manipulating the basket edging. Here, the glass could Easter, pile a basket high with gaily decorated eggs. For
be crimped, crinkled, fluted, ruffled, or even deeply Christmas, stack one with heirloom glass ornaments.
dipped, with portions of the interior folded outward, to And, when the idea well runs dry, just do what grandma
create an eye-catching color contrast with the basket exterior. did: set the gleamingly empty basket on your sideboard so that
Often adding to the beauty were hand-painted accents, such as guests can marvel at your exquisite taste. And they will.
flowers, vines, leaves, fruits, and other nature-based images related
to new beginnings. Down The Bridal Path
Metal frames also evolved, moving from a simple base, with a Considering their age—well over the century mark for the
delicate basket handle arching over the glass insert to more elaborate earliest examples—bride’s baskets remain both remarkably
configurations. Some handles, bedecked with vine-like filigree, boasted available and in remarkably good condition. A quick perusal at a
additional flourishes: central cut-out silhouette plaques of flowers and recent midsize antique show turned up over two dozen baskets,
birds. Others had no real functioning “handle” at all, just decorative each unique in style. More than one thousand are also listed daily
metal spokes extending from the base. The bases themselves were at on eBay and other online sources. Condition is, of course,
times perched on column-like pedestals, or on metal renditions of paramount. When not in use, decorative objects spend much of
cupids and other mythic creatures. their lives on display. Few (if any) collectors have an interest
Among the many manufacturers appeasing the appetite in displaying bride’s baskets with faded paint and broken
for bride’s baskets, some specialized only in the making of glass inserts or dented stands with worn silver plating.
the metal stands, while others focused on the glass inserts. Fortunately, bride’s baskets generally assumed pride
Consolidated Glass, for instance, created its inserts for of place in the home, far removed from the hazards
frames made by Roger Smith & Co. Others on either side of everyday life, which means that any deal-breaking
of the process included such names as Fenton, Meriden, Reed damage is generally non-existent. The most common sign of
& Barton, Britannia, and Pairpoint. As mass-production aging: stand tarnish, which is easily rectified with silver polish.
increased, and less-expensive materials (such as nickel-plated Cupid forms the These were, after all, items originally intended to shine,
pedestal of this
silver) were utilized, the glass insert and stand often went elaborate basket with and they do look their best when allowed to live up to
unmarked. In almost every case though, the glass inserts hand-painted leaves that intention.
were designed to nestle snugly in a specific metal stand. This and floral accents. Since their basic components are decorative glass, and
helps explain a modern dilemma: a collector runs across an 18” h, $1,300-$1,500. silver-of-some-sort stands, bride’s baskets are not among
exceptionally lovely bride’s basket, ideal in every respect, the most inexpensive collectibles. Even the smallest (those
except ... it wobbles. If the glass insert rests uncomfortably on the stand, marmalade bowls) will set you back somewhere around $200. The
chances are good that it is not the original. The insert was, at some traditional larger bride’s baskets hover in the $400-600 range, while the
point, pressed into service to replace a missing or damaged bowl. most elaborate designs—those on pedestals, or with significant
Is such a Frankensteinian mashup a detriment? Value-wise, the hand-painting, extensive applied trim, or unusual edging—can teeter
basket may bring less if you are planning to sell it to another collector, close to the thousand-dollar mark. So, if you’re planning on buying one
especially if the true original was by a known manufacturer. The most as a wedding gift for your friends, make sure they’re really good friends.
important question, though, should be a personal one: if you’re buying And if you’re in the market for one yourself, the Fall, 1954 issue of
this for yourself, and are fully aware that it’s an artificial combo, do you Modern Bride offered some encouraging words for those in need of a bit
still like the way it looks? If the answer is “yes”, then go for it. No 19th of personal arm-twisting to justify the expense:
century brides are likely still around to object.

“The right gift imbues ‘modern’ with a new and richer meaning: the
The Perfect Match art of graceful living combined with a true appreciation of the eternal
Although the first heyday of bride’s principles of beauty. The right gift can be so strong, so good, so beautiful,
baskets faded in the early 1900s, by that over and over all the days of your life it will delight you. For it has
mid-century they were enjoying a second pleased all who have ever owned it. Use it for daily beauty. It is meant for
resurgence in popularity. Young moderns use. Tend it well, and gather lovely lasting things around it. So goes the
of the 1950s and 60s, who once admired dream. So goes the lifetime.”
the basket which took center stage in
grandma’s fussily outfitted dining room, In other words, go for it.
now eagerly welcomed it into their own, Bride’s baskets. They wonderfully infuse the present with the voice
more streamlined environments. The of the past. And when it comes to wedding gifts, a vintage bride’s bas-
reason was simple: although created during ket beats a gift card hands down. After all, it’s a twofer: something old
an earlier time, bride’s baskets are not really and something new.
of that time. The stylistic modernity of a And as for “something
bride’s basket allows it, unlike many borrowed, something blue”
other remnants of Victoriana, to reign … well, there you’re on
successfully on its own, outside of its your own.
initial time frame. The gentle, flowing
lines and softly glowing colors of a bride’s Tiny amberina glass Photo Associate:
basket made it just as comfortably “right” basket, 3-1/2” d, Hank Kuhlmann

on a starkly blonde Heywood-Wakefield $150-$200. Donald-Brian Johnson is the
table of the ‘50s, as it was on the Eastlake co-author of numerous books on
sideboard of grandma’s day. That design and collectibles, including
adaptability continues into the present, At right: Not your traditional shape: Postwar Pop, a collection
rectangular Vaseline glass basket.
making bride’s baskets a visual highlight 11” longest side, $550-$600. of his columns.
on the period-blended tables of today. Please address inquiries to
donaldbrian@msn.com
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