Vintage glass is such a popular item to collect that no antique store would be complete without a number of collections made in different countries, in different styles, and at different times. Collecting glass is so popular in part because the items people purchase are usually small enough to display easily. Most of them are fairly expensive as well. If you like antiquing, searching shops for vintage glassware collectibles can be a fun and interesting way to pass the time.
You may decide you love several different kinds of glass and want to collect some of all or specialize in certain genres. Either way, you should know something about old glass before you invest in it. The art of cut glass goes back almost two thousand years, and to the beginnings of glass blowing itself. Designs are created with the use of a grinding wheel that cuts patterns and designs into pieces of cooled glass.
At the turn of the twentieth century, the wealthiest citizens made a conspicuous show by entertaining with enormous pieces of leaded pressed glass. This has become known as the American Brilliant Period. It ended when manufacturers began to produce cheap versions of this expensive glass and made it available to the masses during the Great Depression.
About the same time, European manufacturers came up with a method of producing even less expensive pressed glass and surpassed the Americans. When the Great Depression hit however, an Ohio firm began to mass produce its own version, which became aptly known as depression glass. It was so cheap to manufacture that the firm could offer it on the open market for pennies.
It was during this same time period, when so many Americans could only dream about owning a genuine Tiffany lamp, that two companies began to mass produce glass pieces in the style of Tiffany. It eventually became known as Carnival Glass because is was such a common prize on carnival midways. There was so much competition in the making of this type of glass that one company even put out a product that glowed thanks to coatings of uranium salt.
All most people have to do is glance at certain pieces to know they are some version of milk glass. These pieces are found in shops all over the country, but milk glass is not native to the United States. It is actually a product of Venice where craftsmen first created it in the sixteen hundreds. The English variation became popular during the Victorian Era. The glass can be found in a wide variety of colors.
Almost all glass is fragile, and old pieces are even more so. When they need to be cleaned, the dishwasher is not the place for them. The high temperatures can crack them and damage the designs. Hand washing with mild detergent and drying with a soft cloth is the best way to safely clean them.
If you like to collect things, glassware is something that has an interesting history. Most pieces are affordable, and trying to find missing items to complete service settings can be a lot of fun. It is always a good feeling when you come upon the last piece you needed to complete a set.
You may decide you love several different kinds of glass and want to collect some of all or specialize in certain genres. Either way, you should know something about old glass before you invest in it. The art of cut glass goes back almost two thousand years, and to the beginnings of glass blowing itself. Designs are created with the use of a grinding wheel that cuts patterns and designs into pieces of cooled glass.
At the turn of the twentieth century, the wealthiest citizens made a conspicuous show by entertaining with enormous pieces of leaded pressed glass. This has become known as the American Brilliant Period. It ended when manufacturers began to produce cheap versions of this expensive glass and made it available to the masses during the Great Depression.
About the same time, European manufacturers came up with a method of producing even less expensive pressed glass and surpassed the Americans. When the Great Depression hit however, an Ohio firm began to mass produce its own version, which became aptly known as depression glass. It was so cheap to manufacture that the firm could offer it on the open market for pennies.
It was during this same time period, when so many Americans could only dream about owning a genuine Tiffany lamp, that two companies began to mass produce glass pieces in the style of Tiffany. It eventually became known as Carnival Glass because is was such a common prize on carnival midways. There was so much competition in the making of this type of glass that one company even put out a product that glowed thanks to coatings of uranium salt.
All most people have to do is glance at certain pieces to know they are some version of milk glass. These pieces are found in shops all over the country, but milk glass is not native to the United States. It is actually a product of Venice where craftsmen first created it in the sixteen hundreds. The English variation became popular during the Victorian Era. The glass can be found in a wide variety of colors.
Almost all glass is fragile, and old pieces are even more so. When they need to be cleaned, the dishwasher is not the place for them. The high temperatures can crack them and damage the designs. Hand washing with mild detergent and drying with a soft cloth is the best way to safely clean them.
If you like to collect things, glassware is something that has an interesting history. Most pieces are affordable, and trying to find missing items to complete service settings can be a lot of fun. It is always a good feeling when you come upon the last piece you needed to complete a set.
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