Exquisite Christmas, Halloween and other holiday antiques bring color and fun to Bertoia’s special December 13 auction

Featured: Christmas belsnickles, Dresdens & other ornaments, Halloween candy containers and veggie people, Easter chicks, patriotic antiques, and spectacular Noah’s Ark with rare flocked animals

VINELAND, N.J. – Wishes will be granted for many collectors on December 13th when the Bertoia family opens its auction-gallery doors to a stunning array of holiday antiques, from museum-quality German Christmas treasures to whimsical jack-o’-lanterns and endearing Easter bunnies. While the original plan had been to incorporate holiday antiques into Bertoia’s November 22-23 Annual Fall Auction, the abundance of exceptional holiday consignments entrusted to Bertoia’s for that sale made it abundantly clear that the specialty category should have its own dedicated event. As a result, a Friday, December 13 date was chosen for a separate auction exclusively devoted to premium-quality holiday antiques. 

Once they view the bounteous selection of holiday collectibles that awaits them, auction guests will agree that too much of a good thing can be wonderful. The display rooms and showcases will be decked out in antique Christmas finery, with a fantastic assortment of German hand-painted belsnickles, figural candy containers, Santas in sleighs, charming Dresdens, shimmering glass ornaments, feather trees, games and playthings.

A Victorian-era classic, Schoenhut’s larger version of their “Christmas Morning” moving picture combines all of the visual imagery associated with an old-fashioned family Christmas. Its mechanical action causes each of the characters around the candlelit tree to engage in various activities. A little boy plays his new drum, while his older brother rides a rocking horse and their sister cuddles her doll. Grandpa rocks the baby on his knee while Mother tends to tree ornaments, and even Santa plays a cameo role, popping up to peek through the window. Sized 7.75 inches by 13.5 inches and in excellent condition, this wonderful Christmas antique by a revered Philadelphia toy manufacturer is estimated at $6,000-$9,000.

Nearly two dozen Christmas candy containers will cross the auction block, led by a gigantic blue-coat Santa with a fur beard. Standing 30 inches tall, the figure is laden with accessories, holding a feather tree in one hand, toting a basket of Christmas gifts attached to his belt, and more. In excellent condition, this piece was previously purchased in the saleroom at a Golden Glow of Christmas Past convention. Its auction estimate is $5,000-$8,000.

When Santa isn’t airborne in a sleigh over the North Pole, he can be seen crossing the tundra on a reindeer. That image is perfectly captured in a German candy container depicting Santa in a long red coat riding an antlered friend. The glass-eyed reindeer is every bit as charming and suitably-outfitted as his master, showing off a “jeweled” bridle and collar. Its body separates at the upper torso for candy retrieval. Graded in Excellent condition, this holiday duo is expected to sell for $2,500-$4,500.

Large and unusual, a 9-inch-long Santa-head lantern is very nicely molded and has an expressive face with ice-blue eyes and a partially-open mouth revealing “teeth. Its estimate is $1,500-$2,500. Another very attractive interpretation of Santa is captured in a large die-cut showing the holiday gift-giver with two children, holding a walking stick and standing on a snow mound. Measuring nearly 3ft tall and in VG to Excellent condition, this exceptional die-cut is capable of being suspended or displayed as a standee. Estimate: $2,000-$3,000

Some of the most outstanding of all Christmas artistry is seen in late-19th-century games. One of the premier manufacturers of that period was McLoughlin Bros. Bertoia’s December 13 auction features their circa-1899 production known as “Game Of Tobogganing At Christmas.” Reflecting its title, the imagery on the game box lid shows children rushing down a snowy hill on their toboggans while others collaborate to build a snowman. The set includes the game board, two spinners and two tokens. In VG to Excellent condition, it is entered with a $2,000-$4,000 estimate.

One of the auction’s top lots is a stunning Erzgebirge gondola-style Grande Noah’s Ark that was hand-constructed sometime between 1850 and 1860. It has a beautiful hand-painted frieze, pegged construction and carved lines on its hull to simulate curved planks. What makes it extra special is its assortment of 230 very rare hand-carved and flocked animals, birds and figures. It is one of only two such arks known to Bertoia’s with that many flocked animals, the other being on display at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. In excellent condition, this ultimate “Sunday toy” carries a $10,000-$15,000 auction estimate.

Skittles sets are always welcome at auctions of holiday antiques because there are so many crossover collectors who appreciate German artistry in its various forms. It will be hard for them to resist Lot 424, a skittles set consisting of a recumbent glass-eyed German shepherd with crossed paws, pricked ears and an alert expression. The handsome 22-inch-long canine safeguards a set of original hand-painted ninepins formed as figures of various animals and a clown. Measuring 22 inches long and in Excellent condition, it is estimated at $3,000-$5,000.

The Halloween portion of the sale rivals any seen in past auctions conducted by Bertoia’s, and that’s quite an exciting prospect. Prepare to be treated, not tricked, by witches of various sizes, jack-o’-lanterns, devil heads, veggie people, noisemakers, richly-pictorial ephemera and so much more. Also, look for Easter bunnies, Thanksgiving turkeys and other holiday characters to take their turn in the spotlight. 

A whimsical large-scale pumpkin vegetable man doubles as a candy container and lantern. Standing 11 inches high, it has a cabbage body, carrot legs and potato shoes. The head is capable of illuminating, as it is equipped with its original wire candle holder, while the body serves as a receptacle for sweets. The piece is in Excellent to Pristine condition and comes with provenance directly connected to the Bertoia family. It was formerly part of the Jeanne and Bill Bertoia collection and, because it has been so carefully preserved over the years, the Halloween rarity looks exactly as it did when first discovered in a house many decades ago. Estimate: $5,000-$8,000

Also worthy of mention is a Halloween candy container comprised of cloth-dressed witch, complete with pointed hat and broom, riding atop a black cat. The glass-eyed feline has a spring tail and its head is removable for access to candy. Standing 9.5 inches high and in Excellent condition, it comes to auction with a $3,000-$5,000.

Bertoia’s December 13 Holiday Exclusive Auction will take place at the company’s gallery located at 2141 DeMarco Drive, Vineland, NJ 08360, starting at 10 a.m. ET. Bid absentee, by phone, or live online through Bertoia Live or LiveAuctioneers. An open preview will be held daily during normal business hours the week prior to the sale. Preview privately by appointment only. For additional information on any item in the auction or to arrange for a private preview, please call +1 856-692-1881 or email [email protected]. Visit Bertoia’s website and online catalog to view all of the goodies awaiting collectors at their fun-filled pre-Christmas auction: Visit Bertoia’s website and online catalog to view all of the goodies in this fun-filled pre-Christmas auction: www.bertoiaauctions.com. 

Michael Bertoia welcomes the opportunity to discuss the consignment of antique and vintage toys, trains, banks or holiday collectibles to future auctions, whether it is a single high-quality item or an entire collection. All enquiries are kept strictly confidential, and there is never an obligation to consign. Call +1 856-692-1881 or email [email protected].