Sometimes functional vintage is special because it’s a nostalgia piece that has been outmoded, like a telephone with a dial. Other pieces of functional vintage continue to add value to our lives because they still hold their own, doing their job as well as when they were made. This week’s fresh to market vintage has two such pieces: the cufflinks and the match holder.
Shirts that need cufflinks are not for everyone, but everyone should own at least one, if only so they can wear awesome cufflinks occasionally. And don’t try and argue that cufflinks have been outmoded by buttons, because cufflinks are a functional style choice. Cufflinks and buttons co-exist, two means to the same end.
The handmade match holder is beautifully functional. Click-and-go lighters have their uses, but for lighting tapers on the table or crackling fires in fireplace, there is no equal to a wooden match for pure style. It’s the same kind of match we used 100 years ago when someone reworked a cigar box into the decorative work of art below to hold matches. Storing matches conveniently is style will never be outmoded.
And with that, we present this week’s fresh to market vintage.
1950s Fly Fishing Cufflinks
Cufflinks are one of the few men’s accessories that can be both practical and decorative at the same time. They’re a way to communicate one’s personality to the world in a subtle and sophisticated way. In order to wear cufflinks, a more formal style shirt is required, meaning no button cuffs. This alone elevates your style from casual to more formal. The addition of a pair of cufflinks finishes the look. These particular cufflinks allow the wearer to telegraph to the world that they enjoy fishing, or perhaps just a bit of kitsch. Made in the 1950s by the Anson company these bright red fishing flys are both eye-catching and fun. A great way to show off your hobby.
Anson Fly Fishing Cufflinks, $ 32.95
-Pam, Vintage Renude
Snowsuit Child Ceramic Figurine
I wonder if the Japanese ceramic designers were obsessed with Elvis Presley and his pompadour hairstyle complete with forelock? This 1950s era snowsuit child appears to be singing and posing! And look at that oversized forelock. Gives me the giggles. Baby Elvis! By the way, I didn’t know that Elvis had light brown hair which was dyed black for that bad boy look. Can you tell I have an upcoming snow event in my future?
Snowsuit Child Figurine, $ 32.99
-Mary Ellen, AuntHattiesAttic
Victorian Match Holder c 1910s
A primitive, handmade match holder probably constructed from a cigar box. It features a folky carved design, portions of which are painted to set off the carving. Original untouched finish. Here’s an interesting article on the history of match holders. If you are interested in new words, check out the definition of “phillumeny”.
Primitive Handmade Match Holder, $ 125
-Linda, Selective Salvage
Vantine’s Incense Tin with Buttons
We love tins. We love buttons. And we love juicy backstories that only take a click or two to find online. Got a triple winner with this little gem.
Although buttons on an original card are delightful, buttons that have been snipped off no longer serviceable garments are much more interesting. Some of these buttons still have the thread from formerly being attached to a shirt. They probably all could tell stories if they could talk, but they can’t, so we’ll never know.
The Vantine’s incense tin though, that has quite a lot to say.
A.A. Vantine came to New York in 1866 with a vision to open a mercantile selling import Japanese and Chinese “artistic” goods like fans, textiles, porcelain, incense and incense burners, perfumes and decor. His Fifth Avenue store and catalog were a smashing success, such that he was able to retire in 1887 leaving the business in the capable hands of a partner. Until the 1926 when enterprising mob drug dealer Arnold Rothstein, bought the Vantine’s as the perfect cover for importing illegal substances. Vantine’s was well respected; their incoming goods were only subjected to cursory inspections. It didn’t work out incredibly well for Rothstein, who was shot to death at a creditor’s meeting in 1928.
This excellent story was distilled from Vantines.net. There are many more details and awesome photo galleries.
Vintage Vantine’s Incense Tin with Thrifty Buttons, $18.
–Laurie, NextStage Vintage
That’s this week’s fresh to market vintage. We hope you have as much luck foraging for vintage as we did. And we hope you channel the sassy of the snowsuit kid figurine as you go forward into the new week.
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