Milk Glass

About Antique Milk Glass

Milk glass has been around since the 16th century, but the term itself was coined in the 20th century to describe the opaque white plates, goblets, serving items, and decorative objects that became popular in the late 1880s.

France was the first place milk glass came into vogue, and 19th-century French milk glass is highly collectible today. By the early 1900s, milk glass was a symbol of the style and taste of American households enjoying the fruits of the Gilded Age. These privileged individuals filled their homes with milk glass produced by 19th-century U.S. glass manufacturers, including New England Glass Company, Bryce Brothers, Gillinder & Sons, and Atterbury & Company...

Milk glass plates are one of the most popular collectibles from this era. One particularly rare plate featured the face of George Washington and had a border of thirteen stars. Other plates sported relief portraits of Christopher Columbus at their centers, and in 1908, plates were produced to help spur the presidential campaigns of William Jennings Bryan and William Howard Taft.

Regardless of the imagery at its heart, whether it was relief flowers or painted birds, the borders of milk glass plates were often pressed or molded to resemble latticework or pinwheels. Some edges were scalloped, others were beaded like frosting on the rim of a wedding cake, and a few were even smooth and round, with undecorated centers to go with these uncharacteristically understated edges.

Platters were a step up from plates—unlike dinnerware, which demanded a certain minimum level of functionality, platters could go all-out when it came to decorative effects. The relief on a rare Lincoln platter from the late 1800s is so great that it must have been used exclusively as a commemorative object. At the other end of the utility spectrum were waffle platters, whose gridded surfaces resembled those of the popular breakfast item they were designed to carry. Somewhere in between was the retriever platter, which depicted a three-dimensional dog head breaking through cattails at the bottom of the platter.

For objects such as serving dishes, milk glass was often pressed so that its surface had a diamond-cut pattern—collectors refer to these as Sawtooth pieces. Atterbury was especially well known for its covered Sawtooth dishes in the shapes of ducks, fish, and other animals. In fact, Atterbury made so much milk glass that the company’s Pittsburgh factory was often referred to as the White House.

In a class by themselves are the covered serving dishes, whose tops resembled roosters, chickens, hens, and swans, as well as lions and other less domestic beasts. Sometimes people were honored by having a bust of themselves cap a casserole dish, although the ones made for Thomas Dewey failed to elect him president. More successful were the Atterbury cats from the 1880s, which had real glass eyes.

Jugs and pitchers were another favorite form for milk glass. Geometric and basket-weave reliefs graced the outsides of these handsome objects, and Hobnail patterns were very popular on everything from flower vases to syrup jars.

During the Depression and into the 1940s and ’50s, milk glass lost some of its luster as a symbol of domestic status. Respected glass companies such as Akro Agate, Westmoreland, Fenton, and Fostoria made milk glass, but the style seemed a throwback to an earlier, fustier age.

Akro Agate made powder jars, whose lids were in the shapes of Colonial-era women wearing billowy dresses. Fostoria made a pink version of milk glass, while Westmoreland made things like covered dishes whose tops and bottoms formed a kneeling camel. It was all very charming but seemed out of step with the evolving styles of the day.

Despite this, some companies actually made a name for themselves with milk glass. In particular, Fenton’s line of Hobnail milk glass—from fan-shaped vases to toothpick holders to candlesticks—became the company’s flagship pattern in the 1950s. Indeed, the company’s prodigious output and success with Hobnail milk glass contributed to a resurgence of interest in this retro form during the early 1960s.

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Interviews & Articles

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 age. My … [more]

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 go out … [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 originally… [more]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

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]

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]

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]

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]

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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Bohemian Moser Style Milk To Green Portrait Vase$499.99 Ends Sunday 2 bids 10 watchers
Vintage Fenton Hobnail Milk Glass Vanity-perfume Set $145.89 Ends in 16 mins 23 bids 30 watchers
Vintage Fire King Milk Glass Mug Lot X43 Ads Mcdonalds+$130.50 Ends in 3 hours 5 bids 12 watchers
Vr Fenton Milk Glass Hobnail #3986 11 Inch Covered Urn!$129.50 Ends Sunday 9 bids 14 watchers
Nice Vintage Fenton Milk Glass Hobnail 22" Gwtw Lamp Nr$109.99 Ends in 1 hour 1 bid 11 watchers
Scarce Eapg Hobbs Viking Milk Glass Shaving Mug Patentd$104.49 Ends Saturday 14 bids 28 watchers
Jeanette Shell Pink Milk Glass Punch Bowl$102.50 Ends Wednesday 2 bids 14 watchers
Fenton 11" Bubble Optic Vase, Opaque Blue Overlay$99.99 Ends Saturday 3 bids 13 watchers
Atterbury Small Milk Glass Crouching Rabbit$81.01 Ends in 5 hours 8 bids 17 watchers
Rare Ruby Stained King's Crown Victorian Milk Pitcher$65.95 Ends Sunday 2 bids 14 watchers
Fenton Milk Glass Hobnail 12 Flat Juice Tumblers 5 Oz $64.99 Ends Tuesday 1 bid 2 watchers
Westmoreland Milk Glass Gold Lamb On Picket Fence Base$59.99 Ends Saturday 1 bid 3 watchers
Vintage Indiana Harvest Milk Glass Canister Set Mint$59.99 Ends in 4 hours 1 bid 12 watchers
Fenton Hp*white Milk Glass*charleton* Heart Dish*nr*$56.99 Ends Sunday 1 bid 2 watchers
Very Rare Fire King Fleur-de-lis Milk Glass Mug Cup$56.55 Ends Wednesday 4 bids 13 watchers
Westmoreland Robin On Nest Slag / Milk Glass Excellent$56.00 Ends Sunday 7 bids 6 watchers
Eapg Gooseberry Opaque White Syrup Sandwich Glass 1870$52.88 Ends in 16 mins 3 bids 9 watchers
Westmoreland Milk Glass Decanter W 4 Ea Wine Goblets$49.99 Ends Monday 1 bid 4 watchers
Westmoreland Blue Milk Glass Duck Wavy Base $49.99 Ends in 5 hours 1 bid 2 watchers
Milk Glass Snack Sets, Harvest Grape, 44 Pieces$45.00 Ends Tuesday 1 bid 2 watchers
Fenton***milk Glass***hobnail***4pc Epergne ***rare$45.00 Ends Sunday 4 bids 11 watchers
Westmoreland Milk Glass, Lamb On A Picket Fence$39.00 Ends Tuesday 1 bid 2 watchers
Milk Green Glass Hobnail Pattern Cake Stand Le Smith$38.00 Ends Sunday 1 bid 6 watchers
Fostoria: Jenny Lind - Milk Glass Vanity Box$35.00 Ends in 4 hours 1 bid 3 watchers
Northwood Carnival Glass Raspberry Milk Pitcher$34.00 Ends Wednesday 3 bids 8 watchers
Pink Milk Glass Crown Tuscan Cake Pedestal Plate Stand$33.99 Ends in 9 mins 4 bids 13 watchers
Westmoreland Milk Glass Urns And Covers Roses & Bows Pr$33.58 Ends Tuesday 3 bids 12 watchers
Fenton Silver Crest Spanish Lace Milk Glass Cake Plate.$31.00 Ends in 6 hours 7 bids 16 watchers
Fenton Milk Glass Bud Vase - Signed$29.95 Ends Sunday 1 bid 1 watcher
Vintage Blue Milk Glass Cow Lid Covered Heisey Bowl$28.00 Ends Sunday 4 bids 4 watchers
Westmoreland Milk Glass Love Birds Covered Footed Dish$27.49 Ends Sunday 4 bids 4 watchers
Beautiful 9 Row Eapg Pressed Honeycomb Milk Pitcher !$26.99 Ends Sunday 4 bids 3 watchers
Marigold On Milkglass Carnival Carolina Dogwood$26.00 Ends Sunday 2 bids 3 watchers
Fenton Hobnail Milk Glass Pedestal Cake Plate$26.00 Ends Saturday 2 bids 9 watchers
Large Milk Glass Biscuit Jar $25.49 Ends in 19 hours 4 bids 3 watchers
Westmoreland Lacey Milk Glass Cat Covered Dish$25.08 Ends Sunday 8 bids 2 watchers
Anchor Hocking Milk Glass Grape Punch Bowl Set$24.99 Ends Sunday 1 bid 5 watchers
Vintage Fenton Milk Glass Hobnail Pedestal Cake Stand$24.99 Ends Sunday 1 bid 15 watchers
Yellow Opaque Glass Pinch Bottle With Stopper$24.95 Ends Tuesday 1 bid 5 watchers
Fenton White Milk Glass Waterlily Pitcher, 7 Inches$24.00 Ends Monday 1 bid 2 watchers
Opaque Red Glass Mannequin Human Head Face Statute Cool$21.50 Ends Sunday 10 bids 4 watchers
L.e. Smith Pink Milk Glass Bunny Covered Candy Dish $20.50 Ends Saturday 6 bids 6 watchers
Antique Pink Milk Glass Wedding Bowl Original Mint$20.50 Ends Tuesday 1 bid 1 watcher
Fenton Peach Crest Milk Glass Basket White Handle 1940s$20.50 Ends in 2 hours 4 bids 17 watchers
Fenton Milk Satin Le Hp Alley Cat W/ Mouse$20.50 Ends Thursday 4 bids 6 watchers
Fenton Milk Glass Hobnail Cigarette Box & Ashtray Nr$20.49 Ends in 5 hours 4 bids 4 watchers
Mckee Sunkist Reamer Juicer Seville Opaque Yellow Mint!$19.99 Ends Wednesday 1 bid 2 watchers
Fire-king Milk Glass Gravy Boat ,anchor Hocking #18$19.99 Ends Thursday 1 bid 2 watchers
Fire King Hocking White Milk Glass Salt Pepper Shakers$19.99 Ends Tuesday 1 bid 14 watchers
Fenton Ruffled Edge Hobnail Milk Glass Epergne 4 Pc$19.99 Ends Sunday 1 bid 5 watchers
4 Fenton White Milk Glass Hobnail 8 Oz Goblets $19.99 Ends Monday 1 bid 3 watchers
Westmoreland Milk Glass Oval Basket W/chick - Egg Cover$19.99 Ends Saturday 1 bid 3 watchers
Vintage Handpainted Milk Glass Pedestal Dish With Lid$19.99 Ends Tuesday 1 bid 3 watchers
White Milk Glass Cake Pedestal Plate Stand Dessert Mint$19.99 Ends in 0 mins 1 bid 7 watchers

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Recent News: Milk Glass

Source: Google News

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