Ask any vintage or antique collector what to look for when on the hunt for the good stuff, and they’ll tell you: sturdy construction, high quality materials, and a maker’s mark.
Maker’s marks are small but mighty, having been used throughout history as unique details on furniture, decor, and other pieces. Not only do these symbols give clues as to who made it and when it was made, but these also give an item a stamp of approval—that the creator was proud enough of the work to have it bear their name. Storied pieces like this, crafted with care and sealed in history, speak to the fortitude with which they were created.
As someone who loves a good hunt for quality vintage, Jo has been inspired by pieces with maker’s marks for years. She frequently returned with them from antiquing trips, ideating with our team how we could create our own. For inspiration, designer and Magnolia Network workshop host Hilary Walker lent us a book of hers (pictured above). Every page was filled with marks designed by artisans and factories from the 18th-19th century, each one telling a different story.
As our team here in Waco, Texas began designing options for our maker’s mark, Jo was always drawn to ones with an icon, so our final versions include a laurel leaf. Rather than making the marks look brand new, we intentionally wanted them to look slightly distressed and eclectic, as if these pieces had been collected over time.
Here are the final designs, featured throughout our new fall collection:
Just like discovering a maker’s mark in an antique shop, we hope seeing ours on the pieces you bring home is a small delight, becoming your own vintage finds you can treasure for years to come.
