Life, 1914-12-03 · page 63 of 92
Life — December 3, 1914 — page 63: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **not a cartoon page** but rather a **mail-order advertisement** for A.A. Vantine & Co., a retailer specializing in Oriental goods. The page showcases Christmas gift items imported from Japan and China, including tea sets, silk robes, decorative boxes, picture frames, and baskets. Prices range from 50 cents to $22.50. **Historical context for modern readers:** This reflects early 20th-century American enthusiasm for "Orientalism"—exotic Asian goods marketed as luxury items to wealthy Western consumers. The prominence of Japanese crafts (hand-quilted robes, ceramic tea sets, carved furniture) reflects Japan's growing international trade presence and Western fascination with Japanese aesthetics following Japan's modernization. The advertisement emphasizes items are "hand-carved" and "hand-quilted" in Japan, positioning them as authentic, artisanal products. Photos show both the merchandise and models wearing the garments, a standard advertising technique of the era. This represents commodified exoticism—Asian culture packaged and sold as prestigious holiday gifts to American consumers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
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