| What do you collect? | Clothing + Fashion | Jewelry + Watches | Pottery + Glass | Furniture + Home | Art + Photos | Music + Movies | Toys + Games | Sports | Coins + Stamps | Paper + Books | Ads + Signs | Autos + Transport | Eras + Decades | All » |
Glassware
About Glassware
Glassware is a broad term for decorative yet functional glass that was produced from the late 1800s through the mid-1900s. Examples include Early American Pattern Glass, cut glass, Carnival Glass, Depression Glass, elegant glass, and milk glass.
Antique glassware was generally made in one of three ways: free-blown, in which the molten glass was placed on the end of a pipe and blown into a basic shape before being transferred to a pontil rod; blown-molded, in which the molten glass was placed inside a mold and blown until it filled the walls; and pressed, in which the molten glass was pressed into a metal mold...
Glassware was typically decorated using a variety of techniques, such as coloring, engraving, acid etching, cutting, and gilding. Mass produced pressed glassware was introduced in the late 19th century and made household glass more widely accessible. Because pressed colored glass was affordable, it became commonplace in homes across the U.S. up through the early 20th century.
In the depths of the 1930s Depression, U.S. glassware manufacturers produced utilitarian yet decorative glass to be used as giveaways with purchases of items like cereal or soap. During World War II, mineral coloring agents were needed for the war effort, so glassware was clear and decorated with brightly colored paints. Glass production almost completely stopped in Europe, with the exception of Scandinavian countries.
Some notable (and collectible) glassware manufacturers include Fenton, Fostoria, Heisey, Imperial, Northwood, and Waterford.
Post an Event
Upcoming Events
- Heart of America Carnival Glass Association Convention
Apr 21–25. Kansas City, MO. - Great Lakes Depression Glass Show
Apr 24–25. Madison Heights, MI. - EAPGS Annual Convention
Apr 29. Natchez, MS.
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]
Ohio and Midwestern Glass
Among collectors, the blown glass which was made at the early glasshouses of Ohio and the Midwestern district has l… [more]
The Similarity Between Ancient and Early American Glass
At this moment of writing Egypt's most recent plague, under General Rommel, threatens Alexandria. The strategic val… [more]
Blown Molded Glass of New England
The American glass collection formed by the late William T. H. Howe of Cincinnati must be counted among the most ou… [more]
Glass But Too Late
On a cycle as constant as the seven-year locust, though more frequent, magazines devoted to fashions and the home h… [more]
Miniature American Blown Molded Glass
Before treating in detail of the miniature or toy pieces of Blown Molded, or as it still known, "blown three-mold" … [more]
Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)
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
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
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
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
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
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
Michael and Lori Palmer's site dedicated to the hand painted decorations of Abels, Wasserberg and Company, known as… [read review or visit site]
Got a site to suggest? Let us know.
Clubs & Associations: Glassware
- National Depression Glass Association
- Milk Glass Collectors Society
- American Cut Glass Association
- Vaseline Glass Collectors, Inc.
- The Michigan Depression Glass Society
- Early American Pattern Glass Society
- National Cambridge Collectors, Inc.
- Heisey Collectors of America, Inc.
- National Imperial Glass Collectors Society
- Carnival Glass Collectors Association of Australia
- National Westmoreland Glass Collectors Club
Discussion Forums: Glassware
- Yahoo 2Glassies2 Discussion Group
- Yahoo vaselineglassc2c Discussion Group
- Yahoo Glass Lovers Glass Database Forum
- Yahoo CandlewickCollector Forum
Other Great Reference Sites: Glassware
- A Menagerie in Milk Glass
- Indiana Harvest Milk Glass
- Dorothy's Westmoreland Milk Glass Collection
- Carnival Glass 101 at Carnivalheaven.com
- Carnival Heaven
- Sandwich Glass Museum
- Pressed In Time
- Czech Sklo Union Glass
Are we missing one? Tell us.
Top eBay Auctions Help | Get weekly Glassware email
»» Get our weekly Glassware email
Recent News: Glassware
Source: Google News
Indoor craft, garage sale attracts large crowd
Lancaster Eagle Gazette, March 21stThe sea of items included older gems such as glass milk bottles, antique tins, a California Raisin pillow and four Furby toys that found their way from...Read more
J Levine Auction & Appraisal
Antiques and Arts Weekly, March 20th
Antique Sterling Cameo Ring & Earring Set, Vintage 14k Gold Amethyst Ring, Miriam Haskell Glass Beaded Earrings, Pair of Weiss Rhinestone Apples,...Read more
Western Collectibles and Antique Gun Show continues this weekend
Great Falls Tribune, March 19thThe show features 200 tables of antique firearms, western memorabilia, Indian relics, edged weapons, collector books, gambling items and artwork and glassware...Read more
Antiques/Art/Crafts | Philadelphia Inquirer | 03/19/2010
Philadelphia Inquirer, March 19thBy Karla Klein Albertson 37th Annual Antique Show More than 40 antique dealers from the tri-state region sell jewelry, china, glassware, silver,...Read more
Symbolism, tradition and whimsy inspire Passover tables
The Detroit News, March 18thUsing citrus colors, she set orange and yellow daisies and blood oranges against Vietri Italian dinnerware; green glassware and green Portuguese enamel...Read more
Y Service Club To Host 37th Annual Antique Show to Benefit the YMCA
Cherry Hill Courier Post, March 18thIf you're in the market for the finest antique items, including jewelry, china, glassware, silver, furniture and more, the Y Service Club (formerly the...Read more
Western Collectibles, Antique Gun show opens
Great Falls Tribune, March 18thofferes table after table of antique firearms, Western memorabilia, Indian relics, edged weapons, collectible books, gambling items, art and glassware...Read more
Tony Rotino Senior Center: Antique and Collectibles Fair coming Saturday
The News-Press, March 17thAppraisals will be offered for paper and artwork; toys and furniture; jewelry; dolls; miscellaneous decorator items, glassware, china and crystal; coins,...Read more