How can you tell how old an ornament is?

One of the most important indicators that an ornament is vintage is patina, or the wear that comes with age. Antique and vintage Christmas ornaments will show some wear, even if they are in excellent condition. You’ll see the mercury glass flaking off a bit or the metal taking on a dull appearance from tarnish.

What are vintage ornaments made of?

mercury glass
Materials. Most vintage Christmas ornaments are made of mercury glass or a similar mouth blown, thin glass. Sometimes there is tinsel or glitter added. They also used mica to replicate the look of snow.

How old are mercury glass ornaments?

“Mercury” silvered glass was produced originally around 1840 until at least 1930 in Bohemia (now the Czech Republic), Germany and was also manufactured in England from 1849 to 1855.

How do you identify a Kugel ornament?

A REAL Kugel: Has brass cap virtually flush with surface of ornament. The cut under the cap is smooth and almost flat to the ornament. A Reproduction of Kugel: Top of the neck is raised and has a rough cut.

How can you tell mercury glass ornaments?

Silvered-glass objects with acid-etched decoration, often of wheat or flowers, turn up frequently; cut silvered glass is much rarer. (You can tell the difference by rubbing a finger over the decoration. Cut glass has definite edges, while acid-etched glass will feel slightly rough.)

What is the most valuable Christmas ornament?

The most valuable ornament is an emu egg set in 24-carat gold (that’s the purest gold available) and covered in diamond dust. That decoration alone is worth £8.9 million.

How can you tell vintage mercury glass?

Look closely at the object to determine that there is a layer of silver lining the inside surface of the entire object. This is the most important aspect of mercury or silvered glass. The outside surface may have etched, embossed, painted or enameled decoration.

How do I identify my mercury glass ornaments?

What is a Midwest Kugel?

A Midwest Kugel is an item made in the 1970’s by a company in Omaha, I think… so fundamentally it is a mid-twentieth century reproduction of an antique kugel.