Gilded Age Greetings, Cards Embellished With Precious Gems

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Jul 23rd 2010 at 11:01AM

Once upon a time, paper was precious and books and illuminated manuscripts were precious works of art. Now as we work toward a less paper-heavy society, books and other printed works are once again more valuable as works of art rather than simple reading matter. We've seen a whole spate of luxury books and Gilded Age Greetings takes the world of greeting cards back to a luxury level with a line of hand-crafted, heirloom-quality greetings embellished with 23K gold. One line, the Grand Couture line, even includes handset cabochon jewels, including amethyst, emeralds, rubies, and red and green garnets.

The tiny works of art are created with extensive handwork and detailing under the direction of Master Penman and Illuminator Rosemary Buczek. The line is available in the Couture and Signature lines, the cards are available in 10 distinctive and beautifully detailed hand-painted images. The Couture line, produced one at a time by hand, are original signed works of art on calf vellum using hand-ground pigments mixed by Buczek and embellished with gilded 23K gold. "It's the purist form of illumination," said Buczek. "It truly harkens back to the Medieval Age."

The Signature line offers a selection of limited editions, signed and numbered. Printed on the finest archival paper and using archival inks, the Signature line, like the Couture line, features gilded 23K gold and hand-ground pigments. In addition, a select number of designs are adorned with hand-placed Swarovski crystal. Each card is tassel-bound and comes with six removable inserts that can be customized to the occasion or left blank. The removable inserts allow the recipient to pass the card to a loved one or someone special with his/her own message. The card is delivered in a custom black silk box, along with white gloves and presentation documents.

Gilded Age Greetings is also taking limited commission work for invitations, documents, awards and certificates. The Signature Line costs $300-$500 and the Couture and Couture Grand Lines are $1000-$5000 each depending on the types of stones used. Visited the Gilded Age Greetings website for more details.

Tags: christmas card, christmas cards, gilded age greetings, greeting cards, holiday cards

Filed under: Art

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Perry Allotta Jul 24th 2010 5:24PM

Well ..no matter the cost...what ever you get is there, you can see.it ...so no matter how much you spend..it is all right..I am wrong ? Sorry, it is my way to see the things.. in myway..

Angela Jul 24th 2010 6:01PM

"Each card is tassel-bound and comes with six removable inserts that can be customized to the occasion or left blank."

I'm guessing none of them say "Money's tight, Time are hard. Here's your f*cking Christmas Card"!

silvermoon2003 Jul 24th 2010 9:23PM

Angela, you are the Best! LMAO!

Travler1986 Jul 24th 2010 8:55PM

Could you imagine trying to explaine that the card is the gift.

silvermoon2003 Jul 24th 2010 9:21PM

Angela, you are the Best!

Ben Jul 24th 2010 10:13PM

Great timing. People are out of jobs, etc. Time are hard. Glad people can afford this. We all can really relate!

Nan lit Jul 25th 2010 2:11AM

It does seem a bit extravagant...if the recipient could return the card for cash, that would be A REAL gift. But, I assume that once the card is personalized, any chance of returning it for a cash refund is nil. Maybe there would be some way to "peel" off the "precious gems", or scrape the 23k gold off of the cards, and take that to the local pawn shop. That would truly make these cards worth receiving,( although the sender may not appreciate having the card disassembled in such a way ). Still, if the recipient were able to "cash in" on the card, as opposed to simply hanging it up with the rest of the ordinary cards they display, they may then be able to go purchase some "real" presents to place under the Christmas tree! Just a thought.

Nan Jul 25th 2010 2:36AM

Maybe if you could pawn the "precious gems", as well as the 23k gold, these cards WOULD be the perfect gift! I'm sure they can't be returned as is, however, if the gems that are on these cards are truly worth anything, pawning or selling them could make you enough cash to go out and purchase something you'd really like to receive for the holidays! Of course, the sender may not appreciate this, but what they don't know won't them!!!

Nan Jul 25th 2010 2:35AM

artlover Aug 4th 2010 9:16PM

I love them, no matter what. I would never judge what people choose to do with thier money... they earned it. A one of a kind handmade work of art as a gift is truly a gift worth receiving, I would gladly take one and cherish it!