CINCINNATI, OH.-An Antique Christmas at the Taft Museum of Art through January 7, 2007. Bring the whole family as the halls and galleries of the Taft Museum of Art are adorned with antique Christmas decorations and festive greenery, and the Dining Room table is set for a holiday party with sparkling china, crystal, and silver. Traditional German feather trees made of wire and dyed goose feathers are trimmed with rare ornaments from the mid-19th through early 20th century and surrounded by toys, figures, and dolls. Featured are Belsnickles (papier-mâché Santas), Kugels (blown-glass ornaments with decorative metal tops), Dresdens (embossed paper ornaments), paper dolls, and many other beautiful and rare ornaments on loan from private collections.

A variety of rarely displayed objects and toys created during the years that this former home was inhabited (1820-1931) will grace its halls and rooms. Notably, German feather trees made of wire and goose feathers are trimmed with sparkling ornaments that were made in America or imported from around the world, such as glass icicles, end-of-day ornaments, Czechoslovakian beaded glass ornaments, Japanese Santa candy containers, American paper scrap and tinsel ornaments, Pennsylvania Dutch cotton batting ornaments, and a range of glass ornaments.

Also on view is a Putz, or German village scene; a display of the porcelain snowbabies popular after World War I; an arrangement of Belsnickles, or Father Christmas figures; and a clockwork (mechanical) Santa and other early toys. Festive greenery decks the halls and exterior of the house.

These rare and beautiful ornaments, toys, and decorations are on loan from private collections.

A companion set of boxed cards, featuring images from An Antique Christmas, will be available in the Museum Shop for $14.95. These cards are a great way to share images and memories of the Museum with loved ones during the holiday season.

After visiting An Antique Christmas, weekend guests can hop on the Holly Jolly Downtown Trolley, and enjoy free shuttle service to all of the major holiday attractions, with stops along Fourth and Fifth streets. The trolley runs each weekend from Nov. 25 through Dec. 23, on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. The Holly Jolly Downtown Trolley is operated by Metro, courtesy of Downtown Cincinnati Inc.