After World War II, many of our fiercest enemies became our closest trading partners. The 1950's saw a huge shift in worldwide manufacturing dynamics—especially when it came to inexpensive, low-tech, labor-intensive items. After the war, America (the victor) enjoyed a very different economic landscape than countries like Japan and Germany (the vanquished). America, which experienced no warfare on its soil (with the exception of Pearl Harbor) enjoyed an economic boom based on education, technology, and high-end manufacturing (houses, automobiles, appliances). Americans used the GI Bill to educate themselves and their wages began to grow. On the other hand, Japan (and Germany) were left devastated—physically and economically. Their countries lay in ruins and they were desperate to get their people working (even if it meant low wage jobs). Such low-wage work, which was once more common in America, began to shift overseas as Americans began to demand better, higher-paid work. Without many other options, Japan and Germany were happy to become labor intensive manufacturing sites for American consumers. Japan made glassware, toys and plasticware. Germany became a workshop for popular-priced ceramic decor (which, itself, is now highly collectible).
The set of twelve blown-glass ornaments, shown above, were made in Japan in the Fifties or Sixties. They are presented in their original graphic-printed box. The ornaments are "perfectly imperfect": the sizes of the balls vary ever-so-slightly and the colors are finished (slightly) inconsistently. As a group, their nonconformity provides a richness that only hand-made items enjoy. These 3/4-inch ornaments would look great on a feather tree, on the tips of a standard tree, trimming a wreath, or embellishing a Hanukkah decoration. Click on the photo above to learn more about this interesting box of ornaments.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
To arrange a visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only), please call 917-446-4248.