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Antiques & Collectibles

Help identifying vintage ornaments.

7 years ago

Does anyone have any idea about these ornaments?

On the back:

After showing them to a few people, we think they are probably mid to late sixties, because of the sort of folk art feel. I just want more information, but I don't think I'm using the right search terms.

I found that the store that sold them, L.S. Ayres, was a department store chain in Indiana, which is now closed. That didn't lead to anything else in my search.

Any help would be appreciated.

Featured Answer

lindac92

7 years ago

Great idea! Give them to someone who loves them!

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Comments (7)

chas045
7 years ago
I am certainly expecting to be corrected, but my initial impression (before reading your text) was that the price tag with the cut off edge was a modern design perhaps from the 90's onward. The shiny ribbon made me think essentially current as well. The little Japan tag did make me think a little older, but hardly vintage. Also, pieces like this would probably have sold for FAR under a dollar in the 60's or 70's.

Wikipedia indicates that the Ayres name was used up until 2006!!
lindac92
7 years ago
I think it's a huge stretch to call them "vintage"...maybe from the 70's....maybe from 2000....whatever, they are inexpensive pottery or plaster molded ornaments. Likely they did cost $1.00 then.
I collect vintage and antique Christmas ornaments and would not consider these as "collectable". But keep them! Some day they will be!
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Patti
Original Author
7 years ago
Well, I had planned to put them in my Goodwill pile. I don't display them and think I got them at a garage sale, and I haven't been to a garage sale in 20 years. I actually don't love them, but I posted the pictures to a group of people who collect vintage Christmas items and three people expressed an interest, but I didn't know what to tell them about a price. I think I will give them to one of the people who lives locally.

The only reason I thought they could be late sixties or even early seventies is that they remind me of when some Catholic Churches started using a sort of "modern" folk art look in the decor and look of the church, and that is the era.

Thanks for your opinions and help.
sunnyca_gw
7 years ago
Religious ornaments -Japan would be what I think you should look at, the ribbon looks to be just regular curling ribbon like you use on a gift, so that doesn't tell anything, I think the set came without hangers except the little metal loop & they thought you would use a metal hanger like most bulbs are hung with.
PRO
Anglophilia
7 years ago
LS Ayers was a NYC, Fifth Ave dept store. The chain finally died sometime in the early 2000's. It was once a very lovely store.
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9b
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
60s-70s is certainly considered 'vintage' these days. Thinking Japan-labeled items date to the mid 70s or earlier. After that, wasn't it more Taiwan & then China?

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