Vintage Glassware
Many individuals enjoy collecting vintage glassware and the amount of collectors is rapidly increasing. There is some disagreement on how old the glassware must be to be considered vintage. But most experts say vintage glassware is considered to be glassware produced from the 1920’s through 1970. The earliest examples are art deco pieces. In 1920, Tiffany was the forefront of glass design. Then highly collectible glassware was seen by Swedish manufacturers.
Cut glass has been produced for many centuries and eventually becoming popular during the 1800’s. During that time, it was discovered that glass that was cut could reflect light. Among the most prominent producers of cut glass in the 1800’s were American Glass and Libby’s Glass. At the end of the 19th century Libby was one of the largest glass companies in America. The company won a gold medal for their cut glassware. The Brilliant line from American Glass was made until 1908 and remained popular through 1925. The brilliant cut glass is thick with profound engravings and it shimmers in the light.
Vintage carnival glass is extremely popular with collectors. During the 20th century the company Tiffany produced a hand-blown glass that was well-liked with their affluent clientele. Since, these glass items were handmade, they commanded enormously high prices. During the Depression glass started losing its popularity and was deeply discounted. It was frequently given away for winning carnival games, therefore, receiving the name of carnival glass. Popular glass manufacturers included Fenton, as well as several others.
Some of the companies marked their glassware with a distinguishing mark, though, most did not, making some vintage glassware pieces hard to authenticate. Because of the high cost of labor and competition, today, very few of the original manufacturers remain.
The vintage glassware produced in the early 20th century is without a doubt, the most sought after and valuable. The condition and color come into the picture in determining the value. For instance the color aqua is rare, so it would be more valuable than a common color such as marigold. Manufacturing defects, cracks and chips can reduce the value. Carnival glass that is extremely rare is the red glass by Fenton and it is really a popular collector’s item. Sets with several pieces, such as punch bowls command high prices when they are a complete set.
Each company had numerous patterns and each pattern had several themes. Early in the 20th century most cut glass had fan, hobstar and strawberry diamond motifs. Some of the favorite glass patterns are Blue Mosaic and Anchor Hocking. It is interesting that at one time glassware was so common, it could not be given away and today, vintage glassware is highly sought after. Collecting different kinds of vintage glassware may not be just interesting but also very rewarding. Each amazing piece speaks of history and beauty. There are plenty of designs that possess very intricate details in which every person would love. Most of these priceless possessions tend to be merely for decoration purposes and tend to sit on shelves for people to see and appreciate.
Carnival Glass, back in the 1900's, used to be given away at carnivals as prizes instead of stuffed animals as we have today. This iridescent glass was not valued that much during those days; fortunately, a number of people kept and valued these as souvenirs so collectors can enjoy them today. Colors and patterns vary and they can be in forms of candy dishes, vases, pitchers, tumblers, cream and sugar sets, and down to decorative pin dishes, all finished with the famous carnival sheen. There are a variety of colors to choose from, the best ones are in red, in different pastels such as icy blue, aqua blue, peach, etc.
Depression-Era Cobalt Blue Glass was made and popularized from the early 1930's through the early 1940's. The most popular patterns are the Moderntone and Royal Lace.
Cranberry Glass is a wonderful addition to a vintage glassware collector's pieces. A Victorian cranberry glass can be very expensive for this is made with great skills of a craftsman and accurate ratio mixing of different chemicals. Making this glass could be very difficult, that's why it is amazingly beautiful. Gold chloride is the chemical responsible for its luscious red color that easily catches the eye.
Moser Glass' innovative process of using potash-lime was made perfect for detailed engraving and intricate designing. This is also more environmentally friendly than with the use of lead crystal. Moser Glass has been hailed as "The Glass of Kings." Royalty, presidents, shahs and popes all have owned Moser vintage glassware at one point in their lives, thus the nickname. This aristocratic type of glass has always been famous since the mid-1800. Ludwig Moser was the founder of the company that produced this type of glass.
Mary Gregory Glassware is decorated with white enamel often portraying a colored likeness to children. This type of glass has been produced for more than a century now. Generally, genuine and older ones tend to have a lighter feel since they were made in different ways, back then everything was manually made and it was rather blown into a mold, today machines take care of all the reproduction of such glassware, leaving the authentic characteristics of having it molded merely by hands.
There is a wide variety of pieces available in the market or antique shops that are being adorned by particular collectors of such. Each collection of vintage glassware speaks of tasteful history and decadence; these are real beauty and are genuinely made for our eyes to appreciate.