how to identify old glassware

• Pontil marks - Blown glass, as opposed to molded glass, usually has a pontil mark on the bottom. This has a circular shape.
• Bubbles and irregularities - Many antique glass pieces have tiny bubbles or other imperfections in the glass. You may have to look very closely to see these.
• Patina - Older glass usually has a patina of time and use. There may be tiny flakes, missing gilt areas, or small chip and scratches.

Full Answer

How to determine the value of old glassware?

• Mint: This means there is no damage to the bottle whatsoever. ...
• Extra fine/near mint: This level might exhibit very slight wear to embossing or a label that is still present. ...
• Very good/excellent: A label may have wear or be missing at this level, or perhaps the embossing with have a bit of wear. ...

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How to spot valuable glassware?

Method 2 of 2: Distinguishing Real from Reproduction Pieces

1. Look for tiny bubbles on the surface of the glass. Check the piece very closely, and look at it from all angles.
2. Check the base of the piece for small lines. Turn the piece upside down, and look closely at the base.
3. Find seam lines, especially around lid pieces of glassware. Check around the edges of the lid. ...
4. Search for scratches on the glassware. ...

How to identify antique and vintage glassware styles?

How to Identify and Research Your Antiques

• Look for Marks and Signatures. The first step in identifying and valuing antiques and collectibles is often determining the maker of the item by researching a mark or signature.
• Decoding Antique Furniture. ...
• Don't Get Fooled by Reproductions. ...
• Testing Your Antiques for Authenticity. ...
• Get a Good Antique Guide. ...

How do you identify antique glass?

Tools for the Job

1. Check the Bottom of the Vase Place your vase upside down on a flat, padded surface and check the bottom for logos, signatures, or company names. ...
2. Identify the Mark Once you find it, use an Internet search engine to identify the maker’s mark. ...
3. Check for an Overmark An overmark is precisely that; a mark placed over the original maker’s mark. ...

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Is there an app for identifying vintage glassware?

A startup called Image Searcher has created a version of its CamFind image recognition app that works with Google's Glass wearable device. That means a Glass wearer can look at something and CamFind will identify it within a matter of seconds.24-Sept-2014

How can you tell if glass is worth money?

Factors like age, item type, size, colors, and condition affect the value of carnival glass. Pieces dating before 1940 are more valuable, as are complete sets of items and larger objects. Colors like ice green (which is sold for over $16,000) and marigold are rarer and highly prized.27-Jun-2018

How do you identify vintage etched glassware?

Identify the manufacturer of antique stemware by checking for a marker, which is typically on the bottom of the stem. Most antique crystal has an etching, symbol or sticker made by the company that manufactured it. Hold the stem up to a light to look for a manufacturer's logo or emblem.

What kind of glass is worth money?

Crystal Glass Crystal is one of the more common forms of glassware that has potential to be valuable because it is made up of lead oxide and is more labor intensive to make than regular glass.

What is the most valuable antique glass?

The most expensive piece of glassware ever sold at auction was a Roman glass bowl, intact after 1,700 years of existence. The Constable-Maxwell cage-cup – an oil lamp – sold for £2,646,650.00 at auction at Bonhams to a phone bidder.19-Sept-2019

How can you tell if its crystal or glass?

Glass makes a clunking noise, while crystal sounds like a reverberated ringing. Another way to sound test the glassware is to lightly run a wet finger in a circular motion around the rim. If it's crystal, you will be able to hear a subtle tone that emanates from it.28-Jan-2019

What color of Depression glass is most valuable?

Pink glass is most valuable, followed by blue and green. Rare colors such as tangerine and lavender are also worth more than common colors like yellow and amber. If you stumble upon an extremely rare piece like the red ruby Aladdin Beehive Lamp, expect to pay $800 or more!

Is Cambridge glass marked?

Cambridge glass is still generally unknown to many dealers, especially when it is not marked. Most of the better pieces of Cambridge glass are not marked with the "C" in the triangle. As a result, collectors can pick more "sleepers."

How to identify the maker of glassware?

Makers can be identified by examining company marks and signatures located on the bottom of the glassware. However, since reproductions are common, it’s essential to study the marks, colors, and styles of genuine art glass to properly identify the maker of a piece.

What is vintage glassware?

Vintage glassware encompasses many types of decorative and functional objects including glasses, plates, vases, and bowls.

How much does a Fenton glassware cost?

Despite the high cost of a few rare examples, you can find Fenton glassware for less than $100 each, with many selling for as low as $10 to $20. “Hobnail” glass, which featured a uniform bumpy surface inspired by Victorian design, was one of the most famous Fenton glass styles.

What company made carnival glass?

Fenton Glass Company was one of the most prominent glassmaking companies in American history and led to many of the styles discussed in this guide. Drawing inspiration from Tiffany Studios and Steuben Glass, the firm introduced carnival glass in 1907 before going on to create over 150 different patterns in this style.

What is art glass?

Art glass refers to the innovative work of glassmakers who experimented with new techniques and designs at the turn of the 20th century. Their artistry gave way to an assortment of handmade objects like vases, bowls, bottles, paperweights, and even marbles.

How long has glass been around?

Although glass objects have been produced as early as the Bronze Age, the more modern technique of cut glass dates back approximately 2,000 years. Glassmakers would hold a cooled piece of glass to a grinding wheel to carve fine grooves, intricate patterns, and compelling designs.

What are the factors that affect the value of carnival glass?

Factors like age, item type, size, colors, and condition affect the value of carnival glass. Pieces dating before 1940 are more valuable, as are complete sets of items and larger objects. Colors like ice green (which is sold for over $16,000) and marigold are rarer and highly prized.

How to tell if a piece of glass is vintage?

There are some telltale signs that a piece in new. A vintage piece of glass will have some signs of wear. The edges will be softer and more rounded than a new piece. The glass will look different. Older items tend to have a rimmed base while the newer ones tend to be smooth. Antique cut glass has sharper and cleaner edges than the newer cut glass. ...

How many colors are there in glassware?

Various manufacturers used colors in their glassware but rarely did a company use every color in every pattern. Some patterns may come in two colors plus clear glass while others may be available in seven or eight colors .

What is antique glass?

A glass or antiques expert can verify the age of the glass. Valuable antique glass is characterized by signs of wear, defects and rough mold edges. Antique glass typically shows signs of wear on its base and in any gilded decorations.

What does it mean when a glass is chipped?

Different types of small scratches at varying depths indicate the glass was used over a long period of time. Defects such as chips and bubbles are common in antique glass. Chipping can signify age, especially if the chips have differing degrees of sharpness and shininess.

Does old glass have grit?

Antique glass made from molds might contain grit, whereas modern glass does not. Some old glass also has an asymmetric shape from uneven cooling. Pressed or molded glass often has seams that show the edges of the mold.

Does glass have bubbles?

Bubbles are typical in old pattern glass, not cut glass, though they also appear in modern glass, sometimes by design. In general, new glass has fewer bubbles than old glass. Two other signs that glass was made using out-of-date methods are grit and asymmetry.

What is Culver glass famous for?

Culver. Culver Glass Company was famous for their stunning decorative glassware in 22- karat gold – think lavish and opulent cocktailware of the 1950s and 60s. In the late 1950’s, Culver started the application of the 22-karat gold to their glassware. Fun fact: the super-heated, roll-on process of gold remains a secret today.

Where is Arcoroc glassware made?

Arcoroc glassware was produced in France in the 1980s, although it is commonly known as depression glass. This glassware features a swirl patterns on a variety of glass including saucers, coupes, flutes, goblets and other glassware. The Rosaline collection is the perfect gift for a bridal shower or as a hostess gift.

What is Blendo glass?

Blendo glass is characterized by a bright neon/pastel solid base that fades as it goes up the glass and a gold rim. You’ll see repros and knock off brands that have the base color, but not the signature gold rim. Blendo glass makes great entertaining ware as they come in cocktail and juice sets and pitchers.

What are the hallmarks of the Ambrosia?

The most popular patterns include: Ambrosia: features a pineapple motif in gold. Fancy Free: features a hot air balloon motif usually found in gold as well as light blue.

What is a libbey tumbler?

Libbey has made millions of glass tumblers – from water glasses, tea glasses to goblets and other drinkware – over the years. It was and can still be found in most American homes! Since there are many patterns to find, the most popular – and at least my favorite – include the flamingo, daisy, and travel patterns.

What glassware was made after 1918?

This means that glass made after 1918 should be referred to as 'Czech glass' rather than 'Bohemian glass', although to confuse matters, many items of glassware produced during the 1950's and later, bear labels that read 'Bohemia Glass' or 'Bohemia Crystal'. Borske Glass. Chribska Glass. Crystalex Glass.

Where was glass made in the 17th century?

The invention of the coal burning furnace in the 17th century lead to glass production being moved to areas such as Stourbridge, to be close to the coal mines. To this day, these areas are still the centres of the British glass industry. This part of our encyclopaedia covers British glass makers of the 20th century.

What is cased glass?

Later, cased glass became popular in Empoli, which consists of brightly coloured glass cased in a layer of clear glass, sometimes also having an internal layer of opaque white "Lattimo" glass. Some Empoli producers of cased glass are STELVIA, Cristalleria Fratelli Betti, Cristalleria Arno, CIVE, and SAVIA.

What is the green color of glass?

Verde (Italian for green) glass takes its name from the traditional green colour of Empoli glass, which was a result of the content of local sand used for glass production. Empoli manufacturers that produced Verde glassware include Vetrerie E. Taddei & C., Vetreria Etrusca, Vetreria Toso Bagnoli, CLAVE, and Vetrerie Empolesi.

What is Victorian glass?

Victorian glass is defined as styles of glassware that were produced during or close to the Victorian era of the United Kingdom (1837 - 1901) during the reign of Queen Victoria.

Where is Murano glass made?

The term " Murano Glass " defines glass produced on the island of Murano, near Venice, Italy. There are many different manufacturers, both past and present, based on Murano. The history of Murano Glass began in 1291, when concerns about the risk of fire to the mainly wooden buildings of Venice lead to the many glass manufacturers there being ordered to move their premises to the small island of Murano, just off the coast of Venice, Italy. Murano was already a busy trade port at the time. Murano glass artists soon became renowned for their skills in glass design, and had a monopoly on glassware production for several centuries. The Murano glass industry boomed during the 1950's/60's, exporting a vast amount of Venetian glassware as well as producing a large quantity of glassware for tourists visiting Venice. Murano glass production is still extremely active today.

When was Czech glass made?

Popular areas of Bohemian glass production were Novy Bor, Skalice and Kamenicky Senov. It is important to note that Bohemia became Czechoslovakia in 1918 , and in 1993 became the Czech Republic. This means that glass made after 1918 should be referred to as 'Czech glass' rather than 'Bohemian glass', although to confuse matters, many items of glassware produced during the 1950's and later, bear labels that read 'Bohemia Glass' or 'Bohemia Crystal'.