Glass
Pressed Glass, sometimes referred to as pattern glass was produced from
1850-1910 with the majority of the glass being produced during the
1880's. When it was originally designed, it was an everyday glassware
that was very durable yet very attractive, both in shapes and patterns.
Pressed Glass was produced in both Canada and the United States, with
American companies outnumbering the Canadian factories many times
over. We had over 10 factories in Ontario including:
The Mallorytown Glass Works, Mallorytown .... The Hamilton Glass
Works, Burlington ..... The Burlington Glass Works, Burlington .....
The Napanee Glass Works, Napanee .....The Toronto Glass Works,
Toronto ....The Parkdale Glass Co., Toronto .....The Dominion Glass
Works, Wallaceburg ......The Erie Glass Co., Port Colborne ....The
Foster Glass Co., Kingsville .....Jefferson Glass Works, Toronto
...The Ontario Glass Co., Kingsville
Quebec had many glass factories as well. My personal favourites are
some of the patterns made at the Nova Scotia Glass Factories. These are
a few of the authenticated patterns: Buttons & Bows, Crown, Diamond,
Diamond Ray, Floral, Kenlee, Raspberry, Raspberry & Shield, Ribbed
Band, Ribbon & Star, Starflower and Tandem.
Pressed glass was made in a cast iron mold and therefore you can usually
see the seams , though in some patterns they are well hidden in the
pattern itself. Flint glass has lead in the glass to make it more brilliant
and it is much heavier than the non-flint. I believe there is no health risk
associated with the daily usage of flint glass. Popular patterns in Flint
glass are Ashburton, Argus and Bellflower. Makers of glass soon
discovered they did not need lead to produce a clear glass,instead using a
combination of substances including lime which produced a much lighter
glassware that became very popular.
Currently there are over 3000 known patterns ranging from the very
plain to the most elaborate cut glass imitations. Some patterns were
produced to include full table settings and other patterns were only
produced in goblet form.
Pressed Glass was also made in amber, blue, green, vaseline and ruby,
although the clear is the most desirable to many people, including myself.
There are so many reproduction goblets made in these different colors
that unless you are quite sure about the age of particular piece,
sometimes it is safer to pass on purchasing the colored pieces.
The interest in the fruit and floral category has intensified greatly in
the past few years and are available in great patterns such as cherry,
grape, strawberry, thistle and ferns. In the strawberry patterns alone
you can choose from Falcon Strawberry, Falmouth Strawberry,
Strawberry & Currant, Strawberry & Roman Key, just to name a few. In
the fern category, you can find Cat Tails and Fern, Garden Fern, Fern
with Lily of the Valley plus many more. Birds and animals are just as
popular amongst collectors. Others enjoy the very heavy imitation cut
crystal patterns. Everyone has their own individual flair and that is
what makes collecting so much fun.
Why Do People Collect Single Goblets?
Pressed Glass Goblets have always been collectible. During the 1880's,
goblets were collected for their beauty and artistic design. The
tradition continues today. I find many clients enjoy having a collection
of varied patterns for many reasons. One is so that their guests can
choose one goblet that feels comfortable in their hand, another is during
a casual affair you can always tell which drink is yours according to the
pattern. Another great reason for collecting single goblets is when one is
accidentally broken, it can be replaced very easily. Goblets may be
acquired in a variety of prices ranging from $10 to thousands each
depending on the pattern and rarity. Whether you are considering
goblets for your home or the cottage, they are an excellent investment
while you have the enjoyment of using them.
Serving Pieces
Pressed Glass serving pieces are quite functional and make unique
displays. For a table centre piece you could start with a large cake
stand and gradually decrease the size as you tier them. This is a great
way to serve desserts and decorate with edible flowers. Pressed Glass
toothpick holders make wonderful individual flower vases for each place
setting. Water pitchers are perfect to serve wine and they also make
great vases. Spoon holders were originally made to keep spoons handy so
that it was not necessary to serve spoons with every dish. I now sell
spoon holders for a variety of uses: makeup brush containers, q-tips,
cotton balls, serving jam or dips. Celery vases are as the name suggests,
originally made for keeping celery fresh in cold water. They are now
also being used to serve cutlery on a buffet table. Banana stands look
like cake stands that have had the ends turned up and are also ideal for
serving napkins and cutlery at dinner parties. They are a wonderful way
to serve a jelly roll or grapes as well. Fruit compotes, covered or open,
are ideal for serving salad. Jelly compotes are miniature fruit compotes
and make nice candy bowls and are very popular for serving desserts,
chutney or cranberries. As the original fruit nappies are much too small
for today's sweet tooth, they are now used to serve hot sauce or pats of
butter. Cream pitchers may be used for salad dressings and syrups,
punch cups for individual fruit or vegetable dips. Buttermilks may hold a
delicious shrimp cocktail or even a pint of beer. Many of these pieces
may also be used for candles. The list of possible uses for serving pieces
is unlimited. Go ahead, use your imagination.
Use your pressed glass everyday so you get more enjoyment from it.
Breakage does occur but far less frequently than if you were using
crystal. It is not advisable to wash pressed glass in a dishwasher as in
time it may appear cloudy. I personally put mine in the dishwasher but I
do have a water softener and I use Jet dry. Only one of my pieces has
gone a little cloudy so the risk is well worth my time savings of using the
dishwasher.
Reproductions
As with every great antique, there are reproductions in Pressed Glass.
There are books that can help you distinguish the new from the old. Only
certain patterns have been reproduced and certain pieces within that
pattern. For example, the "Rayed Heart" pattern has been reproduced
in the goblet form. The ROM thought it was such a lovely goblet that
they had it commissioned to be redone. Just look on the base of the new
goblet and you can see the insignia. The "Westward Ho" goblets have
been reproduced from the 1930's as that pattern is in such demand. The
new goblets lack the fine detail of the old ones. The frosting is much
harsher and the weight of the new ones is much heavier. Buy from an
authority and trust your instinct. If you are offered a set of Westward
Ho goblets for $20 each at 3pm, and hundreds of knowledgeable people
have passed on them, chances are they would be new. Expertise comes
from handling old and new goblets together, doing research , and
depending on your dealer for knowledge.
I have seen more then one dealer selling reproductions, on the
description tag it tells you the pattern name, but no age, you assume
because they sell antiques that the suspect piece should be an antique as
well. Do your research, if you are wary of a certain piece it is better to
pass at the time and not buy it, then to find out later that you made a
bad purchase. Colored pieces were widely reproduced as the colored
glassware was popular in the 1950s.
Many families that have collected pressed glass themselves are now
giving goblets and serving pieces as wedding and shower gifts. When you
give a gift of 1880's Pressed Glass, it is very unique and remembered
with great fondness by the person receiving it. How many other gifts can
make such a statement!
Patty George is a pressed glass specialist, having been in the business for
over 22 years. She is also co-author of "Price Guide to Pressed Glass
Goblets". Patty also owns the copyright to Unitts Canadian & American
Goblets Vol 2. She can be seen at various antique shows across Ontario
and she displays a booth of pressed glass at both The Barrie 400
Roadshow Antique Mall & The Queensville Antique Mall. Visit the
upcoming antique show listing
