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Custom Framing • Fine Gifts • Art Supplies • Children's Toys • Imports • Local Art These glass ornaments reflect the heritage and skills of German artisans learned through many generations. They are made by the family workshop of Inge-Glas, 15th generation glassblowers recognized as leaders in the ornament industry. Most of the German ornaments at Art Vision are created in antique molds which have survived through wars and great historical changes for nearly a century. Each ornament comes with its own unique legend explaining its significance. |
Pickle • Pine Cone • Mushroom • Santa Claus • Grapes • Snowman • Tulips • Teddy Bear • Angels • Miniature Frog • Limited Edition Santa Collection • Snowy House, Church & Barn • Grandma's Tea Pot • Bumble Bee & Lady Bug • Love Birds, Turtle Doves & "Kissed with Gold" Bird
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The pickle was always the last ornament to be hung on the tree in Germany. The parents would hide it in the green boughs among the other ornaments. When the children were allowed to see the tree for the first time, they’d search joyfully for the pickle ornament. Whoever found it first would receive an extra little gift for being the most observant child. - $3.75 (2.75") |
Fir trees are one of the most widely recognized symbols of the holiday season. Christians began using fir trees and other evergreens as reminders of Christ’s gift of everlasting life. Cones were natural decorations that grew on the majestic fir and pine trees, so they were naturally among the first molded glass ornaments. Cones are also symbols of motherhood and fertility. - $7.30 • (3.25") |
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Mushroom Mushrooms have long been good luck symbols in the German culture. Found in the beautiful forests of Europe, mushrooms are closely associated with nature and the beauty and mystery of the forest. Finding a mushroom in the forest is like finding a lucky penny — good fortune is just around the corner. - $5.50 (3") |
Santa Claus represents a veritable melting pot of cultures, beliefs and traditions. As immigrants arrived in America, they brought their beliefs and customs of the holidays. The Germans brought Belznickel and Christkindl, the Scandinavians brought their gift-giving elves and the Dutch brought their Sinterklaas — all of which merged into the today’s Santa Claus. - $9.96 (5") |
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Grape ornaments were symbols of friendship — symbolic of sharing a friendly glass of wine. The German countryside was dotted with vineyards nestled among steep hillsides. Young men and women carefully made their way along curving cobblestone paths in search of succulent vine-ripened grapes to share with friends in the form of a German vintage. - $5.25 (3") |
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Christmas wouldn't be complete for a child without a snowman in the yard to welcome guests or passers by. The snowman who comes to life is also a popular character in Christmas stories and other folklore. The snowman is considered by many to be their favorite ornament, and unwrapping it each year is like meeting an old friend. - $7.60 (3") |
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One of the first signs of spring, the red tulip was a declaration of perfect love. A tulip offered by a young man to his sweetheart revealed his true love. - $6.75 (3") |
Animals have always delighted children, and one of the most dearly loved animals is still the teddy bear, who has provided years of comfort and steadfast companionship to many a young owner. Teddy bears live in literature and in the hearts of even the oldest child. Why not remember one of your treasured friends on the Christmas tree? Available in red or gold. - $5.70 (2.5") |
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Angels are messengers from God. They bring messages of hope and joy, and offer to guide us through the darkness. Angels have always been an integral part of Christmas traditions worldwide, and glassblowers often create them with the cherubic faces of their daughters. Horn-playing Angel (available in red, purple or gold) - $6.50 (3.5"). Praying Angel - $8.25 (4"). |
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The frog is considered a symbol of good luck in business. Since a frog can only travel forward, it represents a prosporous future. This simple legend explains why the symbol of the frog has often been portrayed on holiday ornaments and why the frog is an essential element of any well-dressed tree. - $4.25 (1.5") |
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This collector's edition set features many of the figures that merged into today's Santa Claus including the German Belznickel and Christkindl and the Dutch Sinterklaas. - $35 set (4.75" each) |
 Snowy House,Church & Barn The quaint little villages nestled in the mountains and forests of Germany represent the heritage and culture of the glassblowers. The unique architecture of each village was a source of great pride to them and was often depicted in their ornaments. Glassblowers frequently created images that reflected their day-to-day lives. Therefore, ornaments were proudly styled after the humble homes, churches and barns in which the villages where the artisans lived and worked. The churches, houses and barns represented in our collection often depict buildings which are hundreds of years old. Snowy House - $5.70 (2"), Church - $7.10 (3.5"), Red Barn - $6.25 (3") |
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Tea Pots and coffee pots are symbolic of hospitality. In Germany, as in America, it is customary to bring a gift of thanks to the hosts whenever entering their home. German glassblowers duplicated common household items as whimsical tree decorations. The glass Tea Pot ornament delighted many homemakers. It was given to commemorate an anniversary, cheer a new home or to accompany an actual tea pot as a gift. - $9.50 (2.5") |
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Besides common household items, German glassblowers also created ornaments from common living creatures, such as animals, birds and insects. Bumble Bees and Lady Bugs were common visitors to the flowers and gardens outside the workshop windows of the artisans. Bumble Bee - $5.25 (2"). Lady Bug - $6.50 (2.25") |
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 Love Birds - $11 (4.5")  Kissed with Gold $8.10 (5") |
Love Birds, Turtle Doves |
