I’m constantly on the lookout for high quality antiques to invest in. In order to qualify, a potential investment grade antique has to have a combination of desirable elements: portability, quality, durability and scarcity. But perhaps most importantly, it must also possess zeitgeist – an ineffable historical or cultural rightness.
After looking at many thousands of antiques, I have discovered an interesting trend related to zeitgeist. Some of the most desirable, but underrated, antiques are what I term sin accessories. These are antique or vintage items that are related to vice. I have identified three major categories of sin accessories: tobacco, alcohol and gambling. And they all invariably share the “it” factor – the prevailing zeitgeist of an age – that collectors crave so desperately.
The reason why antique sin accessories are so desirable is self evident; people love to do things that are illicit! Want a shady activity to become instantly popular? Just make it illegal. It imbues any activity with a clandestine air that is both exhilarating and thrilling. A great example of this comes from the era of U.S. Prohibition in the 1920s, which quickly transformed hard liquor drinking into a dominant social trend enjoyed by sophisticates, party-goers and thrill-seekers alike.
If prostitution was the world’s first profession, being a lush was probably the second. Alcohol has been indulged in for thousands of years, by everyone from the ancient Romans to the ancient Chinese. However, it was only with the popularization of distilled alcoholic beverages – the hard liquors such as brandy, whiskey, vodka, gin, rum and tequila – that alcohol really came into its own.
And, if you’re going to enjoy a tipple of hard liquor, what better way to do so than with the appropriate sin accessories? The 18th and 19th century British upper class were partial to sterling silver liquor labels. These were name plaques or tags forged from solid sterling silver that were used to identify a bottle of alcohol before the advent of paper labels. Another classic alcohol-related sin accessory was the early 20th century swizzle stick, a sterling silver spoon-and-straw-in-one combo that was perfect for cocktails and mixed drinks.
The French, however, were the masters of liquor-related sin accessories. They perfected the art of alcoholic indulgence with lavish silver cordial shot glasses, sumptuous crystal decanters with silver mounts and extravagant liquor flasks. Of course, as so often happens, other nations, like Great Britain, Germany, the U.S. and Japan, followed the French lead and produced their own variations on these themes.
Tobacco consumption may not be mankind’s first vice, but what it lacks in history it makes up for in intensity. After its introduction in Europe from the New World during the 16th century, tobacco use rapidly developed into a sin for the ages. Over the centuries, people have developed a number of ways to enjoy this nicotine-laden plant. But the three primary ways are snuff (powdered tobacco meant to be inhaled), pipe smoking and cigar/cigarette smoking.
In spite of the fact that smoking has declined in the developed world, certain kinds of tobacco use have made something of a resurgence recently – notably pipe smoking and cigar smoking. These types of tobacco consumption are often viewed as being more genteel and refined, not to mention less risky, than cigarette smoking.
Collectors of tobacco-related sin accessories have an assortment of luxury items to choose from. In the late 18th and early 19th century, tiny and ornate silver or gold snuff boxes were all the rage among the European aristocracy. Later, in the late 19th and early 20th century, lavish sterling silver cigarette and cigar cases became a stylish way to carry around your tobacco of choice. In the mid 20th century, chic smokers used amber or tortoiseshell cigarette and cigar holders to enjoy their tobacco with flair.
Gambling sin accessories round out our trio of illicit vices. Many people throughout history, but especially the idle rich, have been obsessed with gambling. As the middle class developed in the 19th and early 20th centuries, gambling was gradually democratized.
In spite of this, gambling was still viewed suspiciously by polite society. But this didn’t stop illegal gambling dens from springing up wherever law enforcement was lax. Eventually, society agreed to disagree on gambling by legalizing it in only a few locations – (pre-revolution) Cuba, Macau, Las Vegas and Monaco – which quickly entered the popular imagination as centers of excitement and fortune.
Fine hardwood poker sets, old Bakelite dice sets and vintage casino chips are examples of antique gambling-related sin accessories. Every so often, it is even possible to find a real gem, like this early 19th century Georgian gold, bone and enamel dice cup.
For antique collectors or investors, sin accessories are natural focal points. Do you want to capture the zeitgeist of the Parisian Belle Époque? A magnificent silver and glass French liquor flask would do that. Perhaps you want to relive the glory of mid 20th century New York culture? In that case, a Mad Men style vintage cigarette or cigar holder would do the trick. Or perhaps you want to evoke the glamour of a 1920s Monaco high roller going all in? Vintage mother of pearl casino chips are just the ticket for that.
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