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Antique and Vintage Gift Giving

by Charles Snider for Ruby Lane

n antique or vintage gift can be one of the most treasured and in antique and vintage jewelry as well – brooches,
appreciated gestures for the holidays. An antique or vintage gift lapel pins, cufflinks, and pins. In a personal exam-
Ais unique, and it comes with its own stories and built-in histories ple, I am a dog enthusiast myself and was given an
that continue and live on with the new owner and recipient. Antique antique soapstone carving, likely from China, that
and vintage gifts are also perfect for the “person who has everything” or actually resembled my sweet Shi Tzu mix named
the “hard to buy for” person. Each gift is unique and you can wager Archie, and it is a gift that I cherish. Cat lovers in your
that your gesture cannot be copied. life can also be gifted a very fine antique cat gift. There
Here are some ideas for holiday antique gift-giving for a special are many English, Chinese, and French-made cat porce-
someone on your list! lains, bronze, and brass figures and sculptures. A cool cat
idea is also to find a cat antique that is inspired by Egypt.
A Good Sport Cats are revered in Egyptian history and there Diamond Victorian Stickpin
For a sports fan, college or professional, there are many choices are many examples of Egyptian-inspired cat of a dog’s head for sale on
available to help a certain sports team’s biggest fan and enthusiast. items in the antique market. Rubylane.com for $19,352
There are many framed gifts available for a sports fan that range from
tickets and ticket stubs from significant games and matches to original Framing the Future
black-and-white photography of a game or team. Of course, sports fans Formerly a very traditional gift,
will also likely appreciate framed sports cards, and sports cards were treasured and cherished, but displaced by
printed for baseball, football, hockey, and many other sports. Antique the cell phone, are framed pictures. So,
sports team pennants and flags are also fine gifts and are readily while a framed photo is no longer a
available from online antique and vintage marketplaces. traditional holiday, it now makes for a
superb non-traditional gift, and antique
Significant Silver frames are readily available in a variety of
A very cool and unique holiday gift is a silver styles and metals and colors. Antique and
piece inscribed with a significant date or initials of vintage frames are available in the stan-
the recipient. Historically, fine sterling silver was dard photo sizes (4” x 6”, 5” x 7”, 8” x
often inscribed with family initials, the initials of a Sheffield Silver Frame selling 10” for instance), and are affordable even
newborn, the date of a significant event, or even an for $235 at Rubylane.com if made of fine sterling silver. Antique
inscription like “Christmas 1924.” Imagine the and vintage frames can be found that are
delight when the person receiving your gift sees made of brass (for a golden color), sterling silver, and light and dark
that it is inscribed with a special date, but from 100 woods. The color and style of the frame itself should complement the
years ago, or they spot that the silver cup, spoon, decor of the recipient, and with the wide range of antique and vintage
plate, dish, or decorative piece has the initials of the frames available, you can find a fine frame for a cherished picture of a
recipient. For a number of years, I gave several different celebration, trip, or other event that will delight your friend, family
Antique Basketball sterling friends who recently had babies, a sterling member, partner, spouse, or colleague.

charm for the Interclass holiday gift that happened to have the month
Champions of 1923 selling for and day of their child’s birth. It can be a longshot Lower Pricing, Higher Value
$28 at Rubylane.com finding a sterling silver gift already inscribed with Lastly, consider an antique gift because you will always be able to
a significant or meaningful date or initials, but find one that suits your budget. You will find more flexibility and
the sterling silver market right now is so plentiful, so many pieces options in the prices of
are available from online marketplaces that you may be able to find a antique and vintage gifts
beautiful and affordable sterling gift with the added sentimental value than the retail market
of a meaningful inscription. will offer. You don’t need
to wait for a holiday sale
Popular Pets to find the perfect
According to recent statistics, two-thirds of American households antique gift for a dog or
have pets, and the antique market is full of unique gifts for dog and cat cat owner, sports fan,
lovers. The English monarchs Victoria and Albert helped introduce the sailing enthusiast, movie,
dog as a domestic companion and member of the family, just as or TV buff; the perfect
the Presidents have done in the U.S. So, there are many antique dogs antique gift for just about
available in sterling, bronze, brass, and porcelain. Dogs are portrayed anyone on your shopping
very realistically in many early paintings as well. You may very well be list is out there right now! New York Yankee Stadium painting
able to find an antique dog sculpture, paperweight, desk ornament, or Happy holidays! signed “Shelvey Dickerson” selling for
painting in the dog breed of your choice. Dogs are also plentiful themes $250 at Rubylane.com

36 Holiday Shopping Guide Journal of Antiques and Collectibles