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When it comes to Christmas Elves and Pixies, few makers had the special touch that the Japanese did in the late 50’s, 60’s and early 70’s. From the proverbial felt and plastic knee-huggers to the pottery whimsies, alternately playful and sometimes wickedly mischievous in expression, it’s tough to find a vintage Christmas collector who does not count at least one Made in Japan elf or pixie among their ornaments. In fact, these Made in Japan pixies and elves even made their way into everyday non-holiday use--salt and pepper shakers, ashtrays, etc.
Our flickr friend Steely Elf (yes that is so appropriate) has amassed an outstanding collection of vintage pixies and elves, nearly all made in Japan; check out her set here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21915979@N05/sets/72157610556123385/with/3150957699/
Click on the photo to see some vintage elves from the 1970’s, when quite suddenly they disappeared from store shelves, and Japan moved from manufacturing Christmas kitsch to electronics and more instead. Putz clock by Howard Lamey of littleglitterhouses.com
And more vintage pixies and elves at the links below:
EVIL ELF! http://www.flickr.com/photos/madslucky13/5755012360/in/pool-1557336@N23
Our flickr friend Steely Elf (yes that is so appropriate) has amassed an outstanding collection of vintage pixies and elves, nearly all made in Japan; check out her set here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21915979@N05/sets/72157610556123385/with/3150957699/
Click on the photo to see some vintage elves from the 1970’s, when quite suddenly they disappeared from store shelves, and Japan moved from manufacturing Christmas kitsch to electronics and more instead. Putz clock by Howard Lamey of littleglitterhouses.com
And more vintage pixies and elves at the links below:
EVIL ELF! http://www.flickr.com/photos/madslucky13/5755012360/in/pool-1557336@N23
The memories this all brought back were wonderful.
ReplyDeleteTrivia question: Which husband and wife sitcom featured Japan pixies on a living room console in at least one episode?
Answer: I Love Lucy!
And I think remember seeing them on an old Ozzie and Harriet.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Steely Elf and Every Croton for this great trip down memory lane. We had dozens of these knee hugging elves on our tree every year. Wish we still had them now especially when I see the ebay prices. My aunt also had a collection of little pottery elves in the living room very similar to some of those shown in Steely's photostream. What memories.
ReplyDeleteOMG, that "EVIL ELF" is a hoot. What an expression.
ReplyDeleteWICKED!LOL!
ReplyDeleteEvil elf hah!
ReplyDeleteLOVE THIS POST THANKS
ReplyDelete