What are the types of antique and vintage glassware?
How to Identify Antique Glassware. Being an antique glassware collector can be very interesting. However, you will need to know how to identify antique glassware. This will prevent you from making costly errors. Antique Glassware Common Types. Art Glass: This is a type of antique glassware that was developed by glassmakers who wanted to create new designs in the early …
How to identify antique glass patterns like a pro?
30/12/2021 · Pictures of Antiques; Antique Glassware Identification Tips & What to Look For; Antique Glassware Identification Tips & What to Look For. By Kate Miller-Wilson. Kate Miller-Wilson . An avid antiques collector herself, Kate has written about antiques for many years. She has also managed an online antiques community. Read More | Antique Collector . Updated …
How do you identify glassware?
Identifying your antique crystal glassware is crucial in determining its worth. Here are a few ways to know the marks of this prominent glassware: Crystal Glassware Manufacturer Marks. A wide array of Crystal glassware has markings. You can use a magnifying glass or hold the mirror up to sport the type of mark to identify it. You can spot the mark on the bottom of the bowl or the …
How can you tell how old a glass is?
13/05/2020 · This guide will help you identify and value your elegant glassware, including patterns made by Fostoria, Heisey, Cambridge, Duncan and Miller, Tiffin and others. Elegant glassware is higher in quality than Depression glass, although it was made in some of the same colors such as pink, green, and yellow along with a proliferation of clear patterns.
Is there an app to identify glassware?
Reserve your spot here! 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 antique glass is valuable?
How to Know Whether Glass Is AntiquePontil marks - Blown glass, as opposed to molded glass, usually has a pontil mark on the bottom. ... Bubbles and irregularities - Many antique glass pieces have tiny bubbles or other imperfections in the glass. ... Patina - Older glass usually has a patina of time and use.
How can you tell the age of glassware?
Marks At The Base. The bottom of the glass bottle will tell you the most about its age. ... Visible Seams. In the last hundred and fifty years, most of the glass bottles were produced by blowing molten glass into a mold. ... Mouth. ... The Shape Of The Top. ... Embossed Markings. ... Color.06-Aug-2020
What kind of glass is worth money?
Look for pink, blue and green glassware Pink, green and blue are the most valuable colors of depression glass. Pink tends to be the most valuable because it is more rare. Yellow and amber colored depression glass is more common and therefore less valuable.
What color 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!
How old is vintage glassware?
Most antique dealers consider an item to be vintage if it is at least 40 years old.18-Apr-2018
How can you tell the difference between glass and crystal?
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
Does old glass have seams?
If you examine a piece of pressed glass you will always find either two, three or four seams running through the glass, although sometimes the seams were well hidden in the pattern. The number of mold lines in a piece of glass does not determine the age.
How do you identify Hawkes cut glass?
Hawkes cut glass was made by T.G. Hawkes & Company of Corning, New York, founded in 1880. The firm cut glass blanks made at other glassworks until 1962. Many pieces are marked with the trademark, a trefoil ring enclosing a fleur-de-lis and two hawks.
How can you tell if its Murano glass?
If you see the Murano Glass Consortium sign on the piece with a QR code, like the one on the photo of the bowl below, the piece is authentic. If you see the name of the factory on the label, research where they are located. If they are outside of Venice and Murano, they are not selling authentic Murano Glass.
How can you tell real Heisey Glass?
The “Diamond H” Mark The National Heisey Glass Museum website states that all pieces of Heisey were marked when they left the factory. Many had the famous capital H within a diamond mark in a raised molding directly in the glass while others simply had a paper label affixed for identification.19-Oct-2019
Is amber glass valuable?
While many of the common patterns in yellow or amber can be acquired for just a few dollars, patterns that were short-lived during the Great Depression are particularly valuable. Glass that was once worth less than a quarter can be worth thousands of dollars today.21-Oct-2019
What was Murano known for?
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.
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.
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.
Where is glass made in Italy?
But there is another area of Italy with a long history of glass production - the town of Empoli, in the Tuscany region, near Florence.
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.
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 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.
What is vintage glassware?
Vintage glassware encompasses many types of decorative and functional objects including glasses, plates, vases, and bowls.
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.
Which city was the leader in glassmaking?
The Italian city of Venice became a leader in the craft, as they molded glass into elaborate drinking glasses and introduced colorless forms of glassware. The “American Brilliant” era of the late-19th century into the 20th century witnessed significant developments in the glassmaking industry.
Is crystal glassware considered antique?
Wealthy collectors were attracted to crystal for its light-reflecting qualities, and it became a popular serving option during the 19th century. Crystal produced during this era is considered antique by collectors, while those created after World War I are generally regarded as vintage glassware.
What glass was made by pressed glass?
The rise of pressed glass made it possible to mass-produce glassware, leading to the creation of some of the most recognizable styles including carnival glass, elegant glass, milk glass, crystal glass, and Depression glass.
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 is Fenton 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. Over the years, they have produced a variety of glass types, including the carnival, opalescent, and milk, as well as other styles like custard and chocolate. Fenton pieces are popular with collectors for their wide variety of glass styles, signature designs, and the fact every Fenton piece is made by hand.
What to do when buying antique glassware?
The first thing that you will want to do is to invest in a good identification and price guide for antique glassware. This should be small enough to carry with you when you shop. Before you ever set foot in an antique store you should peruse the guide and familiarize yourself with the manufacturer you are collecting.
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 .
When was moonstone made?
The Moonstone pattern seen here was made from 1941 through 1946. Sometimes the manufacturers will redistribute a pattern decades later. If you know a pattern was made in the 1920s for example, and then again in the 1980s you will know that you could be getting a newer piece than you thought.
Can you take a black light with you when you collect vaseline?
This way if you see something in your pattern you won't accidentally pass it up. If you collect Vaseline glass it is a good idea to take a battery operated black light with you when you shop. The black light will cause the glass to glow if it is real Vaseline glass.
Is it a good idea to bring along a tape measure?
It is a good idea to bring along a tape measure to confirm that your find is actually what you think it is. All measurements should be the same as what is noted in the book. You can be sure if an item has a Made in China tag on it it isn't 100 years old. You might be surprised at how many people miss that detail.
What is Fostoria American?
Fostoria American is one of the most prolific elegant glass patterns. Lookalikes were made, however, so it is wise to do further research if you have a similar piece. This is particularly true with the American iced tea glasses as examples made by other companies look very similar.
Who wrote "Don't overspend for collectible glass"?
Don't Overspend for Collectible Glass. Written by. Pamela Wiggins. Facebook. Twitter. Pamela is an antique expert and the author of three books on the subject. She's written over 400 articles on antique collecting for The Spruce Crafts. Learn about The Spruce Crafts' Editorial Process. Pamela Wiggins.
Is elegant glassware better than depression glass?
Elegant glassware is higher in quality than Depression glass, although it was made in some of the same colors such as pink, green, and yellow along with a proliferation of clear patterns. Note: For the most up to date information on elegant glass selling prices, be sure to check a number of online selling venues such as Ruby Lane, Etsy, ...
What is a Fostoria glass?
Fostoria American Wine Glass with Hex Foot. Fostoria American is one of the most prolific elegant glass patterns. Lookalikes were made, however, so it is wise to do further research if you have a similar piece. This is particularly true with the American drinkware as examples made by other companies look very similar.
Is antique glass an art?
All antique glass comes with historical context. Collecting and appraising antique glass is an art. Collectors must be proficient in all aspects of the glass piece from its history to its unique characteristics and patterns. Read as many books on glass patterns as possible so you can understand antique glass patterns and know ...
Who is the author of Women Who Walk With the Sky?
As a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Levesque is the author of "Women Who Walk With the Sky" and co-author of "Wisdom of Bear.". She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography. Related Articles.
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.
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 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.
What is the O on a bottle?
A diamond shape with a large "O" intersecting it, for instance, is a common find on many older bottles. This logo is a stamp from the Owens-Illinois Glass Company, which had many plants around the United States in the first half of the 20th century.
Who is Kathy Adams?
Writer Bio. Kathy Adams is an award-winning journalist and freelance writer who traveled the world handling numerous duties for music artists. She writes travel and budgeting tips and destination guides for USA Today, Travelocity and ForRent, among others.
What does the marking on a bottle mean?
In some cases, the markings on a bottle are listed on the bottle's sides, indicating its original contents, such as Dr. Townsend's Sarsaparilla from the mid-1800s . With somewhat generic markings such as a letter or series of numbers, compare the marks to images on collector and historical glass sites.
What does the arrangement of letters and numbers mean?
The arrangement of letters and numbers sometimes indicates year of manufacture, although there is no standard for the practice; comparing similar images in books and collector websites is the best way to find out what each mark means, specific to your glass.
What glassware is included in a set?
Many pieces of glassware designed for household use once belonged to a set. A juice glass may have been included in a set that had water glasses as well; likewise, a glass butter dish may have a matching sugar bowl as a sibling. If you still have parts of the original set, check all the pieces for markings on the bottom of the glass.