Crystal Birds and Origin Markings

AF has a small clear crystal bird figurine on a frosted glass base. The underside is labeled “Made in Taiwan R.O.C.” (Republic of China). The phrase “Made in” is important because it helps date the piece. Marks reading “Made in Taiwan” were used after 1949 to distinguish Taiwan from mainland China (the People’s Republic of China).

AF would have never acquired her little crystal bird if not for the establishment in the mid-20^th century of the neighborhood “Gift Shop,” a feature of every small town square, such as our “Sally’s Gifts” of Deerfield Commons, in Deerfield, Illinois, where I grew up. I remember proprietor Sally, who purchased the objects, perched above the constant flow of bric-a-brac. My mom Elinor received a few ornamental crystal birds and bells and teacups from Sally’s at the corner of Deerfield and Waukegan roads. 

These small glass bird figurines were commonly produced in Taiwan for the U.S.-based company Silvestri between about 1970 and 1990, peaking in popularity during the 1980s when the giftware industry was booming and shopping centers commonly featured gift stores. Silvestri remained a strong brand until the late 1980s, after which they suffered the decline of the whole “gift” industry. Silvestri was privately owned until 1986, then acquired by Alco Standard. In 1987, Silvestri’s management bought the company back. In 1993, it was purchased by Fitz & Floyd. After filing for Chapter 11 in 1996, Silvestri was later spun off to Syratech, which filed for bankruptcy in 2005. The brand was subsequently sold and resold until 2007. 

Today, the inexpensive gift store – and those inexpensive gifts formerly sold from ~1970-2000 – are not exactly hot property. Most vintage Silvestri items sell for under $20.

The local gift store was once popular and also seasonal! Shelves were lined with imported glass, plastic, and ceramic small objects. Brands like Fitz and Floyd and Silvestri were coveted. Places like “Sally’s Gifts” had their own engraved boxes and bags with the store’s name, and gifts could be hand wrapped by Sally or her daughter. Hard to imagine the imported merchandise carried by these small shops across the country from the 1970s to 1990s.

From the 1970s through about 2000, Taiwan was a major exporter of giftware, plastics, electronics, and textiles, creating wares for companies like Napcoware and Silvestri that dominated the gift and Christmas collectible market; Silvestri becoming, as mentioned, a key player in glass figurines. Silvestri had its very name to thank for its success: it echoed the prestigious Italian glassmaker Creazioni Silvestri, while the high end of the market was represented by makers like Lalique of France. In 1980, a four-inch Silvestri bird might cost around $15, while a Murano Silvestri figure was $400. A comparable Lalique crystal bird could cost $500. Today Silvestri Arte Murano of the late 20^th century in a figural form, such as a lion or a horse, will fetch $2,000 and up, and Lalique from the mid-20^th century will cost $800 and up. 

Dating items by their markings is possible due to U.S. import laws. Before 1890, imports were not required to carry any country-of-origin marks. The McKinley Tariff Act of 1890 required imported goods to be labeled with their country of origin, though not necessarily with the phrase “Made in.” Items marked only with a country name typically date from 1890 to 1914.

In 1914, U.S. law required the phrase “Made in” to appear in English along with the country name. For example, Japanese goods were originally marked “Nippon” until 1921, when U.S. Customs required the use of “Japan.” After World War II, markings included “Made in Japan” and “Made in Occupied Japan” (until 1952).

Political changes also affected markings. Items labeled “Czecho-Slovakia” date to the 1920s. German goods marked “U.S. Zone” typically date from 1945 to 1950, with later items reflecting East or West Germany. The German glass industry also shifted into Poland after World War II border changes.

By the mid-20th century, Taiwan and Hong Kong dominated the inexpensive giftware market. From 1949 until the mid-1970s, the U.S. had little trade with mainland China, so items marked “Made in Republic of China” or “R.O.C.” indicate Taiwanese origin. Goods marked “Made in People’s Republic of China” became more common only after trade resumed in the late 1970s.

Other country names can also help with dating: Indonesia (established 1949) and Malaysia (1963) indicate more recent production. Most items marked “Made in China” date from the 1970s or later, though some are reproductions. Be cautious – fake markings existed throughout the 20^th century: items stamped simply with “China” and a generic character mark may be reproductions.