Cut Glass

About Antique Cut Glass

While cut glass has been produced for thousands of years, it reached a peak of popularity during the late 19th century in the so-called "Brilliant" period, which lasted until the early 1900s. Billiant period cut glass, a popular wedding gift at the time, was heavy leaded glass, intricately cut with geometric patterns and prisms.

Cut glass became desirable because it reflected the light across the dinner table. During the American Brilliant period, it was referred to as "rich cut glass." It was very expensive and showed the social standing of the owners...

Most companies specialized in either making or cutting glass, and only a few did both. Some of the most prominent cut glass companies of the time were the Dorflinger Glass Company, Hawkes, the Libby Glass Company, H. C. Fry and Company, Strauss, and J. Hoare and Company. Each manufacturer had their own patented patterns made from a series of motifs, such as Hobstar, strawberry diamond, and punty cut. The rarest or most expensive patterns are Aztec, Panel, and Trellis.

Cut glass often came in sets. For example, decanters came with goblets and tumblers, candlesticks came in sets of two or four, and berry bowls came with six smaller bowls. Other cut glass collectibles include ice cream trays, casserole dishes, cake plates, and fingerbowls.

During the Edwardian period, cut glass became lighter, thinner, and engraved. The Brilliant cut glass was no longer as fashionable or desirable. Cut glass decreased in popularity during World War I, and with Prohibition, many companies, such as Dorflinger, went out of business.

Cut glass is very fragile and sensitive to heat. Collectors should also be wary of fake cut glass, which started to materialize in the 1980s. Authenticity can often be determined by a black light test.

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Interviews & Articles

An Interview With American Cut Glass Collector Barbara Meek

I started collecting cut glass when I was about 18. My sisters were married, and during the summer, I would g… [more]

Glass Knobs from Sandwich and Elsewhere

Just as brass handles, keyhole escutcheons and turned buttons replaced wooden knobs and wrought-iron handles… [more]

An Interview With Early American Pattern Glass Collector Elaine Henderson

My mother was our inspiration for collecting pattern glass. She collected it, and she died at a very young ag… [more]

An Interview With Carnival Glass Collectors Glen and Stephen Thistlewood

Our newest book is actually the fully revised and expanded second edition of our first book. It came out orig… [more]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

American Cut Glass Association

American Cut Glass Association

A great reference on ‘American Brilliant Cut Glass’ (produced between 1876 and 1914), this site features a stri… [read review or visit site]

David Doty's Carnival Glass Website

David Doty's Carnival Glass Website

David Doty's incredible, comprehensive and colorful Carnival Glass reference site, with over 1,600 pages and 4,000 … [read review or visit site]

National Depression Glass Association

National Depression Glass Association

A great starting point for collectors interested in Depression glass. Features in-depth reference articles on topic… [read review or visit site]

Milk Glass Collectors Society

Milk Glass Collectors Society

This excellent milk glass reference site is definitely not for the lactose intolerant. Includes seven high resoluti… [read review or visit site]

Carnival-glass.net

Carnival-glass.net

This extensive reference on 'carnival glass,' which became popular in the early 1900s, is divided into three sectio… [read review or visit site]

Pattern Glass School

Pattern Glass School

If you need schooling on Victorian-era pressed glass tableware aka EAPG (Early American Pattern Glass) aka Pattern … [read review or visit site]

The Charleton Line

The Charleton Line

Michael and Lori Palmer's site dedicated to the hand painted decorations of Abels, Wasserberg and Company, known as… [read review or visit site]


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Clubs & Associations: Glassware


Discussion Forums: Glassware


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Extremely Rare Libbey American Brilliant Cut Glass Bowl$1,136 Ends Sunday 5 bids 48 watchers
Massive Abp Hawkes Cut Glass Punch Bowl Set$1,081 Ends Sunday 5 bids 53 watchers
Swarovski Crystal Woodpeckers Black Diamond Birds Glass$600.00 Ends Sunday 14 bids 22 watchers
Cut Glass Fancy Punch Bowl, Silver Ladle & 10 Cups, Abp$511.01 Ends Sunday 5 bids 55 watchers
Abp Brilliant Cut Glass Flower Center Finest Quality$500.00 Ends Sunday 2 bids 9 watchers
Six William Yeoward Crystal Sophie Wine Glasses New$441.95 Ends Sunday 9 bids 18 watchers
Huge 24-1/2" Vase Abp Floral Cut Glass / Must See! Nr$430.00 Ends Monday 4 bids 36 watchers
Large Bergen Cut Glass Ice Cream Tray, Progress Pattern$419.14 Ends in 22 hours 9 bids 35 watchers
Uranium Vaseline Glass Plate Set Rare Belmont Glass Co$360.60 Ends Sunday 22 bids 17 watchers
American Brilliant Cut Glass Crystal Unusual Vase Hoare$303.75 Ends Sunday 17 bids 54 watchers
American Brilliant Cut Glass Spouted Wine Decanter Rare$216.06 Ends Thursday 9 bids 34 watchers
2 Edinburgh Crystal Thistle Champagne Glasses Signed$210.27 Ends Sunday 4 bids 13 watchers
Abp American Brilliant Period Cut Glass Petal Foot Bowl$159.16 Ends in 19 hours 8 bids 41 watchers
2-pc Punch Bowl Nelson Paris Pattern Abp Cut Glass Nr$157.50 Ends Monday 13 bids 56 watchers
Abp Brilliant Period Cut Glass Compote Hawkes Grapes $157.50 Ends in 20 hours 6 bids 22 watchers
American Cut Glass Libbey Wedgemere Creamer And Sugar$152.50 Ends Tuesday 4 bids 24 watchers
American Brilliant Cut Glass Hawkes Jewelry Box$127.50 Ends Sunday 3 bids 6 watchers
Louis Xiii De Remy Martin Baccarat Crystal Decanter$104.75 Ends in 13 hours 5 bids 18 watchers
6 Punch Cups & Plates Russian Pattern Abp Cut Glass Nr$103.51 Ends Monday 4 bids 42 watchers
Keith Murray Stevens & Williams Clear Crystal Vase Mint$103.05 Ends Sunday 16 bids 23 watchers
Rare! American Brilliant Cut Glass Carafe By Pitkin $102.50 Ends Monday 2 bids 13 watchers
American Brilliant Cut Glass Crystal Libbey Decanter $102.50 Ends Sunday 4 bids 17 watchers
Hawkes Cut Crystal Cocktail Pitcher Gorham Sterling$102.50 Ends Monday 4 bids 15 watchers
American Brilliant Cut Glass Whiskey Jug T. B. Clark$100.00 Ends Sunday 3 bids 22 watchers
Large Brilliant Cut Glass Collar Box Buy it Now$100.00 Ends Sunday 1 bid 3 watchers
American Brilliant Cut Glass Meridian Pattern 136$99.99 Ends Sunday 1 bid 4 watchers
William Yeoward Crystal Lulu Cocktail Shaker - Boxed$99.73 Ends Sunday 2 bids 6 watchers
Abp Cut Glass Very Well Cut 9 Inch Diameter Plate$99.00 Ends Sunday 1 bid 21 watchers
Large American Brilliant Cut Glass Bowl O’connor$96.25 Ends Sunday 4 bids 26 watchers
American Brilliant Cut Glass Crystal Sterling Rim Bowl$89.88 Ends Sunday 8 bids 20 watchers
Abp Cut Glass Tumbler Signed Hawkes$88.00 Ends in 16 hours 5 bids 23 watchers
Exquisite Abp Tankard Pitcher W/ 6 Matching Tumblers$88.00 Ends in 21 hours 20 bids 8 watchers
Waterford Lead Crystal Glass Baby Elephant Figure + Box$84.77 Ends Sunday 6 bids 12 watchers
Two - Saint - St. Louis Crystal Cut Cranberry Glasses $84.77 Ends Sunday 11 bids 17 watchers
Unbelievable Cut Glass Bowl Abp$78.00 Ends Sunday 4 bids 11 watchers
Meriden Abp Brilliant Cut Glass Cruet Alhambra$77.01 Ends Monday 5 bids 22 watchers
Beautiful Val St.lambert Cut Glass Vase...perfect$76.46 Ends Monday 3 bids 4 watchers
Superb Pair Of Waterford Colleen Champagne Flutes$76.46 Ends Thursday 15 bids 6 watchers
Rare Abc Glass Amber Cut To Clear Tall Bottle Nr$76.00 Ends Monday 5 bids 25 watchers
Exquisite American Brilliant Cut Glass Sugar Creamer$73.00 Ends in 21 hours 10 bids 25 watchers
Abp Cut Glass Whiskey Bottle Signed Libbey$68.66 Ends Tuesday 3 bids 24 watchers
Exquisite American Brilliant Cut Glass Footed Compote$66.55 Ends in 21 hours 20 bids 38 watchers
Super American Brilliant Period Cut Glass Lady's Flask $66.38 Ends Monday 4 bids 11 watchers
William Yeoward Crystal 'honesty' Loving Cup$64.82 Ends Sunday 1 bid 6 watchers
6 X Unused Waterford Crystal Lismore Brandy Glasses$61.50 Ends Wednesday 9 bids 14 watchers
Swarovski Crystal Amethyst Necklace And Earrings Set$58.16 Ends Thursday 1 bid 6 watchers
Swarovski Crystal Stork With Baby (very Rare) Retired$56.58 Ends Tuesday 4 bids 12 watchers
Vintage Cranberry To Clear Overlay Cut Glass Basket $56.55 Ends in 20 hours 8 bids 31 watchers
10" Abp American Brilliant Cut Glass Vase Roses Tulips$53.88 Ends Monday 8 bids 7 watchers
American Brilliant Cut Glass Vase$52.99 Ends in 31 mins 3 bids 4 watchers
Royal Doulton - Two Large Glass Goblets - Hellene $52.61 Ends Sunday 6 bids 5 watchers
Orig. Lg American Brilliant Period Abp Cut Glass Vase$52.51 Ends Sunday 2 bids 3 watchers
Swarovski Mini Train Set Glass Track,boxed,certificate$51.53 Ends Sunday 9 bids 10 watchers
Magnificent C.1910 Libbey Brilliant Cut Glass Lamp $51.50 Ends Monday 2 bids 12 watchers

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Recent News: Cut Glass

Source: Google News

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