how was antique glass made

How can you tell if glass is antique?

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.

Does antique 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 was window glass made in ancient times?

Ancient Rome was the first civilization to have glass windows. It discovered the technology of mixing sand and other component materials and heating the mixture so it could be pressed and cast into small pieces that were formed into panes.

What kind of glass is in antique windows?

Cylinder Glass and Crown Glass are two types of authentic, mouth-blown antique window glass typically found in historical structures in the United States. Both types employ a blowpipe to shape the molten glass.

How do you tell if glass is cut or pressed?

Cut glass will have sharper detail with a more defined pattern, whereas pressed glass will be smoother and worn to the touch. Look for mold marks. Cut glass will not have any mold marks and most pressed pieces do unless they are upper end pieces where someone took the time to remove them.

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!

How was Roman glass made?

Roman glass was made by using sand, alkali, sodium carbonate, and metal coloring agents and was formed with seaweed and lime. Roman glass making was a high art, producing items in a large range of colors, patterns and complex techniques. Copper was used to make turquoise to light blue, green, or red colored glass.

How did they make glass windows in the 1700s?

1700s, early 1800s Plate glass was introduced c. 1700 but would not become the dominant process over crown glass until the 19th century. Crown glass involved a blown glass bubble flattened, reheated then rotated to create a dome shape. It could then be cut into shapes or filled in as appropriate.

How did the Romans make blue glass?

Popular for glass were various shades of blue, created by adding cobalt oxide and copper oxide. A small amount of iron caused glass to turn green, while manganese could have created yellowish or purple glass. If a glassmaker desired colorless glass, she or he could add a neutralizing agent (3).

Why does old glass look wavy?

Contrary to the urban legend that glass is a slow-moving liquid, it's actually a highly resilient elastic solid, which means that it is completely stable. So those ripples, warps, and bull's eye indentations you see in really old pieces of glass “were created when the glass was created,” Cima says.

Why does old glass have bubbles?

Bubbles in old glass bottles and windows are actually air pockets that became trapped during the manufacturing process. Crude glass almost always contains bubbles, which often adds to its appeal and value among collectors.

Why did old windows have circles?

Known as a bullseye, the thicker center area around the pontil mark was used for less expensive windows. To fill large window spaces with the best glass, many small diamond shapes were cut from the edge of the disk, and then some might be halved into triangles.

Does hand blown glass have a seam?

Blown glass is an ancient form of glass making that is still used in the fine arts. The molten glass is formed by literally blowing it throw a tube. The resulting glass item will often have a blown look and glass varying in thickness. It will not have a seam.

Why does old glass have waves?

Contrary to the urban legend that glass is a slow-moving liquid, it's actually a highly resilient elastic solid, which means that it is completely stable. So those ripples, warps, and bull's eye indentations you see in really old pieces of glass “were created when the glass was created,” Cima says.

Does molded glass have seams?

Molded or pressed glass will not have a pontil mark on the bottom. Instead, look for seams present to indicate that a mold was used in the manufacture, as mentioned above. The mold seams are usually found on the sides of the piece where a mold would have fit together during production.

How do you identify an antique vase?

Look for a mark on the bottom of the vase. Marks may reflect the name of the company that made the vase, as well as the name of its designer. When the vase has a company name and an artist's name, it may be worth more than if it simply has a company name. Marks may be inked, painted or engraved into the bottom.

When was pressed glass made?

Pressed Glass, also referred to as Pattern Glass, was produced between 1850 to 1910. The majority was produced in the 1880’s. When it was originally designed, it was intended for everyday use and was made to be very durable and at the same time, attractive.

What was the Depression glass?

When the depression came, people could no longer afford crystal and returned to pressed glass, or “the affordable glassware.”. This new period of glassware became known as “Depression Glass”. It was produced the same way, pressed into a cast iron mold, but in different patterns and colours to brighten your day.

How many seams are there in pressed glass?

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. If the piece was small, manufacturers would use a two piece mold;

Why do people use glassware?

For these reasons, producers made many different patterns to attract the customer to buy their products. Once a pattern was designed, it was patented along with its name so that it could not be duplicated, unless patents or molds were sold to other companies.

Why do punch bowls have four piece molds?

When manufacturers made punch bowls, they would use a four piece mold because of its large size, or a four piece mold was used for square patterns to help create the shape . Around the 1920’s, Pressed Glass lost its popularity and crystal became the ‘in thing’.

What is antique glass?

Antique glass is glassware produced from the late 1800s through the mid-1900s. While we purchase delicate objects for display, vintage glassware can also be functional items for the kitchen. Antique glass comes in a wide variety of colors, styles, and patterns, making them a fascinating collector’s hobby. The most popular types are pressed glass, ...

What is the oldest type of glass?

Cobalt glass. This is one of the oldest types of antique glass, and uses cobalt salts to create a deep blue color.

What color is milk glass?

This glass gets its name from its opaque to translucent appearance. While it is often available in milky white look, there are milky blue, pink, brown, or black. Cups, glasses, and other glassware normally use milk glass.

How is molten glass made?

This ancient form of glass making involves forming molten glass by blowing it through a tube. There are no seams but the pipe leaves a pontil or rod mark. Blown glass is often characterized by tiny bubbles or shifts with colors that blend together. Several pieces may be assembled to form a single unit.

How did custard glass get its name?

Custard glass gets its name from its opaque yellow look.

What is cut glass called?

We carve the top layer of white glass to reveal the dark blue glass underneath. On the other hand, cut glass that contains lead is what we commonly refer to as crystal. This high end glass makes fancy wine glasses, bowls, and chandeliers. Interestingly, lead crystal is so fine that you won’t see any seams.

What is Depression glass?

They appreciate the challenges and triumphs of that period when families lived on little or nothing. Depression glass adds a rich history to your collection as it brighten ed homes back in the day.

When was glass invented?

The first glassmaking "manual" dates back to ca. 650 BC. Instructions on how to make glass are contained in cuneiform tablets discovered in the library of the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal. In Egypt, glass-making did not revive until it was reintroduced in Ptolemaic Alexandria.

Where was glass first made?

But in general, archaeological evidence suggests that the first true glass was made in coastal north Syria, Mesopotamia or ancient Egypt. Because of Egypt's favorable environment for preservation, the majority of well-studied early glass is found there, although some of this is likely to have been imported.

What was the Roman glass industry?

Roman glass production developed from Hellenistic technical traditions, initially concentrating on the production of intensely colored cast glass vessels. Glass objects have been recovered across the Roman Empire in domestic, funerary and industrial contexts. Glass was used primarily for the production of vessels, although mosaic tiles and window glass were also produced.

What was the use of glass during the Han Dynasty?

During the Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD), the use of glass diversified. The introduction of glass casting in this period encouraged the production of moulded objects, such as bi disks and other ritual objects. Chinese glass objects from the Warring States and Han period vary greatly in chemical composition from the imported glass objects. The glasses from this period contain high levels of barium oxide and lead, distinguishing them from the soda-lime-silica glasses of Western Asia and Mesopotamia. At the end of the Han Dynasty (AD 220), the lead-barium glass tradition declined, with glass production only resuming during the 4th and 5th centuries AD. Literary sources also mention the manufacture of glass during the 5th century AD.

What was the process of making glass in the Hellenistic period?

During the Hellenistic period many new techniques of glass production were introduced and glass began to be used to make larger pieces, notably table wares. Techniques developed during this period include 'slumping' viscous (but not fully molten) glass over a mould in order to form a dish and ' millefiori ' (meaning 'thousand flowers') technique, where canes of multicolored glass were sliced and the slices arranged together and fused in a mould to create a mosaic-like effect. It was also during this period that colorless or decolored glass began to be prized and methods for achieving this effect were investigated more fully.

How much glass would a glassblower spin?

In this process, the glassblower would spin approximately 9 pounds (4 kg) of molten glass at the end of a rod until it flattened into a disk approximately 5 feet (1.5 m) in diameter. The disk would then be cut into panes. Domestic glass vessels in late medieval Northern Europe are known as forest glass.

What period was the glass amphora from?

Ancient Greek glass amphora from the Hellenistic period.

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 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.

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 is antique glassware?

With eye-catching colors and an alluring array of shapes and patterns, antique glassware offers a unique decorative accent that recalls craftsmanship from decades past. While collectors of vintage glass often purchase these pieces for display, many others maintain them for everyday use.

What is the price of a Durand vases?

Durand vases, in particular, are famous for their “King Tut” pattern of coiled glass that ranges in price from $2,000 to $3,000.

When was glassware made?

Glassware produced from the late-19th through the mid-20th century is considered the pinnacle of glassmaking and thus one of the most popular eras to collect in the market.

History Of Glass Dishes

Glass dishes have been around for decades! Unlike other inventions that were manufactured within the past few centuries, glass dishes can be traced back to 3,600 years ago in Mesopotamia. Other glass dishes have been linked to Syria or Egypt as well. By the 15th century, extensive glassware was being manufactured in Crete, Western Asia and Greece.

Famous Manufacturers of Antique Glass Dishes

Even though the manufacturers of glassware dishes aren’t well-known since it’s rarely specified, here are a few manufacturers and famous brand names of antique glass dishes.

Identifying Antique Glass Dishes

Undeniably, identifying antique glass dishes isn’t an easy task since little is known about them. Regardless, you can find hints to help you identify your antique glass dishes.

The Value Of An Antique Glass Dish

The value of antique dishes varies depending on the manufacturer, design, rarity and its date of origin. If a piece was made by a company such as Hawkes during the brilliant cutting glass period, its worth increases and most of them can cost up to $15,000.

Final Words

As much as the fact that antique glass dishes are rarely known, it’s important to know how to identify them to ascertain their worth. You can find these pieces at:

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.

When did glass come to Britain?

The skill of making glass was brought to Britain by the Romans, but it was not until the 16th century when Venetian glass manufacturers came to Britain that British glass making began on a large scale. 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.

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 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.

How was glass made?

Early manufacture of glass involved single sheets of glass manufactured by a craftsman by blowing through a tube. Generally the further back in history you go, the wavier the glass is.

What process was used to make vertical glass?

The Fourcault process and Colburn processes for making vertical drawn glass in the second decade of the 1900s further mechanized glassmaking. This glass could be produced in wider sheets at cheaper costs. These advances led to even less distortion but by no means perfect glass.

What is wavy glass?

Wavy glass is the "cool-looking" glass commonly found in older window panes, doors, and furniture built prior to the early 1900s. Generally, the further back in history you go, the wavier the glass is. As craftsmen improved their methods over time, the wave and distortion became less apparent. Early manufacture of glass involved single sheets ...

What was the first window pane in the 1800s?

Cylinder glass became the standard window glass panes in the 1800s. The glass still had many waves and bubble pockets. An early version of cylinder blown glass called broad sheet was generally not used for window glass.

What is machined glass?

Machined Cylinder and Drawn Glass. This type of glass is still very widespread today in American cities. It is very similar to cylinder-blown glass with a somewhat less distortion and is known for its vertical lines.

What happened to glass in the 1700s?

As a result, glass produced in the 1700s tends to have more distortion than glass produced in the 1800s. In the early 1900s, increasing industrial advances led to machine-produced glass. This glass, while less wavy, still had imperfections and was widely used in the United States cities in the early 1900s.

Why is glass called a bulls eye?

Because the glass was spun in a circular motion, the "waves" were more rounded. The center piece had an end-knob imperfection (commonly called a crown or bullion) which was sold as part of the window or more frequently as a small piece of decorative glass over or alongside windows and doors.Today this is referred to as a bulls-eye.

Overview

Origins

History by culture

Modern glass production

See also

Further reading