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Holiday Gift Guide – Day 27 – Vintage Gifts Under $25


Epic Candle Holder Pair – Viking Glass – circa 1965

With three shopping days left until Christmas you may have a few additional gifts to get and the budget may be getting a little tight. No fear – there are very lovely,  vintage gifts to be had at a very reasonable price at you local vintage shop.

The items shown in this post are just some of the great items with high style for low dollars!


Snap-Glass Coffee Mugs – Corning – circa 1969


Enamel & Silver Plate Candy Dishes – Reed & Barton – circa 1958


Planter – McCoy Pottery – circa 1969

This is just a sampling of what is available. You can’t get unique gifts like this at one of the Big Box stores, you will need to venture into the vintage, antique and thrift stores. But the choices will likely make it very easy to find that perfect gift.


Votive Holder – Pilgrim Glass – circa 1960

You will also likely then be shopping a locally-owned shop – which is a gift to your home town economy as well! Happy hunting!

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Holiday Gift Guide – Day 26 – Red Wing Pottery


Magnolia Vase – Red Wing Pottery – circa 1940’s

Red Wing Pottery began in Minnesota in the 1860’s with potters from Germany who had settled the area. For nearly a hundred years the company primarily produced crocks, jugs and bowls aimed at the agrarian society. The company primarily sold in the Midwest, Northwest and in Canada.

After World War II, Red Wing Pottery adapted to the changing American social landscape shifting their product line from one focused on the farm to one aimed at the modern home. Dinnerware, vases and pottery decorative items were what Americans wanted and Red Wing was ready to supply this need.


Vase B1431– Red Wing Pottery – Designed by Belle Kogan – circa 1950’s


Free Form Bowl 1304 – Red Wing Pottery – circa 1950’s

Red Wing employed some wonderful designers including Belle Kogan and produced the Town & Country dinnerware line designed by Eva Zeisel. Town & Country is one of the most sought-after 20th Century dinnerware lines with an avid collector following.



Town & Country Dinnerware Brochure Pages – Red Wing Pottery – circa 1950’s

Red Wing Pottery was yet another company to close as the result of low-cost imports and ceased production in 1967. Descendants of the Gillmer family, who owned Red Wing, re-opened the company in 1996.

Red Wing Pottery pieces offer variety in color and design and are sure to please the mid-century collector this Holiday Season. Prices vary dramatically with many vases and pottery items running $75 and under. The Town & Country dinnerware line is hard-to-find, usually priced at a premium, but worth every penny whenever you can put your hands on it.

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Downtown Charleston ArtWalk – Thursday December 20th

The ArtWalk is the showcase of Downtown Charleston’s thriving art scene.

The December ArtWalk is going to be one of the best ever – with new venues, festive holiday carolers and free KRT Trolley rides between galleries this is one you won’t want to miss.

This will be a great time to pick up those last-minute Holiday gifts while enjoying wonderful works of art from local, regional and nationally-known artists.

Participating galleries, studios and venues and features are:

Art Emporium – 823 Quarrier Street
Artist reception featuring the prints and drawings by Anthony Young.
Also, West Virginia Artists including paintings and prints by J.P. Owens, abstract acrylic paintings by Traci Higginbotham, jewelry by Jackie King, and Photo-Digital Paintings by Bruce Haley.

Blue Door Art Studio – 223 (Rear) Hale Street
Studio of artist Mark Tobin Moore.

Charleston Catholic High School – 1033 Virginia Street East
Special Holiday Artwalk exhibit highlighting works by art students at the school. Among the exhibit will be recent works by AP Art Students Avrah Urecki, Rob Fluharty, Aidan Kim, Elyse Campbell, and Mark Thompson In addition, a life-sized Nativity installation by the middle school art students and a variety of art by student artists from grades 6-12 will also be presented.

Clay Center – One Clay Square
Lightscapes for the Holidays
Large scale sculpture and installations that incorporate Christmas lights by local and regional artists – Dow Benedict, Dan Connery, Sharon Harms, Alison Helm, Scott McMillan, Mark Moore, Mark Soppeland and Cindy Walton
Seasonal Selections from the Permanent Collection
Paintings, prints and photographs by prominent historic and contemporary artists, among them: Paula Clendenin, Jim Dine, Stuart Davis, Roberto Matta, Frederick Waugh and Alexander Wyant

Chet Lowther Studio – 223 – 1/2 Hale Street
New works by Chet Lowther

Gallery Eleven – 1033 Quarrier Street
For the holidays Gallery Eleven will be celebrating the fine crafters, from the pottery of Debbie Wright, Regina Swim and Susan Maslowski, to glass by Greta Heinsworth, Ron Hinkle and David Houser, plus book marks, cards, and miniatures by the Co-Op artists and many more fine crafter’s works.

Good News Mountaineer Garage Gallery – 221 Hale Street

Roger Lucas Gallery – 1033 Quarrier Street

Stray Dog Antiques – 219 Hale Street
Antiques, art, gold and sterling silver jewelry.

Taylor Books – Annex Gallery – 226 Capitol Street
Art and gifts for the holidays.

The Purple Moon – 716 Lee Street East
Original works and signed limited-edition prints from nationally-known retro – pop artist Kerry Beary.
Also art from Felix Krasyk, Wm. D. Goebel, Jennifer Susman and Rob Cleland as well as the usual selection of eclectic and unique furnishings, accessories, glass and artifacts from the mid-20th Century.

The Squire Tobacco Unlimited – 108 Capitol Street
Works by Charlie Morgan. Larry Orndorff,Bob Adams, Rick Burgess, Nick Fortney, Keith Allen and Chris DeMaria.

For this month’s ArtWalk free trolley service will be available for getting between venues and carolers will be provided by Charleston area Girl Scout Troops. Truly a night of Holiday Festivities and wonderful art not to miss.

The perfect way to wind up (or start!) your Holiday shopping – and maybe even try a taste or two of wine along the way!

A map of the venues and trolley stops can be found here. For more information visit the ArtWalk website.

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Holiday Gift Guide – Day 25 – Riihimaaein Lasi Oy Glass by Tamara Aladin


Pair of Geometric Vases– Riihimaaein Lasi Oy – Finland Designed by Tamara Aladin – circa 1969

Riihimaaein Lasi Oy (a.k.a. Riihimaki Glass Works) began producing art glass in the 1930’s and, after hiring a team of wonderful young designers after World War II, produced some of the most beautiful glass to come out of the Scandinavia.

Among those designers was Tamara Aladin who worked for Riihimaki beginning in 1959 and remained there until the company ceased production of art and tableware in 1976. Her designs for Riihimaki are dramatic and tend to utilize unlikely geometric combinations.

Scandinavian Glass has seen a vigorous revival thanks to collectors and aficionados of mid-20th Century style. These pieces can be a bit of a challenge to find but are well worth the search and are often available at vintage shops or online.

Vases, like the ones shown here, make stylish gifts for your stylish friends and will be treasured for years to come. They are in the $50 – $75 price range. Look for glass that is free from chips or other damage.

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Holiday Gift Guide – Day 24 – Russel Wright Imperial Pinch Glassware


Pinch Water Glass Set – Imperial Glass – Designed by Russel Wright – 1949

To pick up a Russel Wright Pinch Glass is a pleasure. The form of this glassware is designed to fit right in your hand – it cradles there perfectly and feels define. It is the definition of functional art.

Designed by Russel Wright in 1949 and produced by Imperial Glass throughout the 1950’s this glassware is elegant and beautiful. Made to compliment Russel Wright Casual dinnerware line for Iroquois China, these glasses are as at home on the table as they are in the living room with before-dinner cocktails. The glassware is very durable with thick walls and a polished bottom.

A set of these will make you the ultimate Santa to the person lucky enough to receive them as a gift. They are premium glassware though and a set of six is likely to run you about $175 – $200.

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Holiday Gift Guide – Day 23 – A Trip to the Edward Hopper Exhibit


Edward Hopper Exhibit – National Gallery of Art – Washington DC – Through January 21, 2008

For the hard-to-shop-for person on your list I have a gift idea today which they will remember for the rest of their life.

The National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC is currently showing the work of American artist Edward Hopper and it is a show not to be missed. With art on loan for this exhibition from galleries from around the globe, it is unlikely you will have the opportunity to view this amazing body of work again all in one place.

Edward Hopper transforms everyday images into dramatic, emotionally charged moments in time. As stated in the program for this show, “Hopper’s art speak volumes without uttering a word.”


Automat – Edward Hopper – 1927

The modern lady and I had the opportunity to view this exhibit early last month and we walked through it almost in a daze. From painting to painting the emotions swelled as we examined the work in an almost voyeuristic manner. Hopper’s work inserts the viewer so deeply into a painting that a voyeur is exactly how one feels. It is as though you are viewing a very private and personal moment – and you are.


Room in New York – Edward Hopper – 1932


Summer – Edward Hopper – 1943

In Room in New York the distance between to the two figures in their tiny room seems vast and the tension between them is palpable. It is, in my opinion, one of the finest works.

Of course, the exhibit all leads up to the iconic Nighthawks and the opportunity to view this fabulous work of art would alone be worth the trip to Washington.


Nighthawks – Edward Hopper – 1942

A trip to see this exhibition would be the gift of a lifetime and one you should consider for that very special person in your life.  The exhibition closes on January 21st.  Admission to the National Gallery of Art is free.

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Holiday Gift Guide – Day 22 – Haeger Pottery Orange Peel Vases


Orange Peel Glaze Vase Trio – Haeger Pottery – circa 1958

The roots Haeger Pottery go back to a brickyard outside Chicago in 1871. Known at that time as Dundee Brickyard, the company manufactured millions of the bricks used to rebuild the City of Chicago after the great fire which destroyed over 17,500 buildings the same year the company began.

By 1900, the year of company-founder David H. Haeger’s passing, the firm was making simple red clay pots for the florist trade. Edmund Haeger, David’s son, oversaw the transformation from Haeger Bricks to Haeger Potteries. The company is still in operation today.

The bright “orange peel” glazed vases shown here date from the 1950’s and were one of numerous modern designs put out by Haeger during this period. These vases look great individually and in sets and can usually be easily found at your favorite vintage shop. They are valued between $25 – 45 each depending upon size.

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Holiday Gift Guide – Day 21 – Mid-Century Casserole Dishes


Casserole Dish on Brass / Walnut Warming Stand– Stangl Pottery – 1959

Everyone has got to eat and serving food with style is the cornerstone of any great dinner party.

The 1950’s and 60’s produced some stunning pieces for entertaining and the fabulous casserole dishes from the period are great for use as decorative pieces in a mid-century modern inspired kitchen and are functional as well.


Moon Deco Covered Casserole – Pyrex – 1971


Covered Casserole in Chinese Red – Hall China – circa 1950’s


Starburst Covered Casserole – Bavarian – circa 1950’s

Made by numerous manufacturers food serving items such as the ones shown here make a very nice gift for friends and family. Most are very affordable with prices in the $25 to $75 range with some more collectible makers or designers, such as Russel Wright, going for a premium.

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Holiday Gift Guide – Day 20 – Lo-Ball Cocktail Glasses by Eva Zeisel


Prestige Lo-Ball Cocktail Glass Set– Federal Glass – Designed by Eva Zeisel – 1955

The Lo-Ball cocktail was made popular as Lord Calvert’s take-off on the High-Ball.

The Lo-Ball glassware was made utilizing the Prestige shape designed by legendary glass and ceramic artist Eva Zeisel for Federal Glass and was produced in the mid-1950’s.

This cocktail set is just as cool today as it was back then and makes the perfect gift for your cocktail party friends. Look for ones with bright lettering and, as with any glassware, no chips or other damage. A set of four costs about $50 – 60.

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Retro / Pop Art of Kerry Beary at The Purple Moon


Flora – Acrylic on Canvas – Kerry Beary – 2005

Strong women, sleek cats and mid-century modern home furnishings are all present in the art of New York native, now Louisiana-based, artist Kerry Beary. With its retro feel, Beary’s art is best described as being “mid-century lounge-scapes.”


Artist Kerry Beary

Beary, 36, lived and worked in New York until after 9/11 when she and her husband moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. There they purchased a 1950’s ranch home where she could build a studio and focus on her art. Since that time her work has gained national attention with her art pieces being in great demand throughout the country.


Nelson Schmelson – Acrylic on Canvas – Kerry Beary – 2005

Kerry Beary developed a love of retro art in childhood as the daughter of a professional hair and make-up artist. Her portfolio reflects a unique talent for painting in the colors, imagery, and styles of the mid-20th Century period.


Cocktail Social – Limited Edition Print – Kerry Beary


Pussy Pad – Limited Edition Print – Kerry Beary

The presentation of Kerry Beary’s work at The Purple Moon is the artist’s first showing in West Virginia. With original paintings and limited edition prints the show opens on Friday, December 14th, with a Holiday reception from 5 – 8 pm.

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