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How to Identify Daum Glass

Along with Gallé and Lalique, Daum was one of the key manufacturers of French art glass. The firm started in 1875, and they began making art glass in the late 1880s, continuing until World War I. Like Gallé, Daum employed acid etching techniques to cut away layers of glass, creating multicolored designs in low relief. They also used metallic oxides and other jealously guarded tricks to create novel textures and hues. Fakes of glass from this period abound and it is also possible to come across Daum-like unsigned wares that are from the correct period but are by less prestigious manufacturers, so collectors should pay attention to ensure they are getting genuine items.

Instructions

- 1
  Look at the base. Originally ground smooth, the base of an original Daum piece will have accumulated tiny scratches from being moved from place to place over time. These scratches are hard to fake believably. Reject any pieces that have unscratched bases, frosted bases or bases with rims.
- 2
  Examine the glass for signs of mottling. Achieved by the application of powdered glass and other additives, this was one of Daum's signature effects. Its presence should help you to tell a Daum piece from other glass of the same period.
- 3
  Check for a signature. This will usually be molded into the design on the side of the glass. Expect to see the words, "Daum Nancy" - Nancy being the town where the Daum factory was located. There might also a cross of Lorraine - a small double-ended crucifix. If you have to search for a moment to find the signature because it blends into the overall design, this is a sign of a genuine piece. If the signature leaps out at you, dominating everything else, it is probably a fake.
- 4
  Consider the color scheme. This should be dusky, muted, but also subtle and capable of variation. If the colors are strident, or unvarying, that is a strong indicator of a later reproduction or the product of a lesser factory.
- 5
  Stand back and take in the whole piece objectively. Wares from this period, whether by Daum or by the factory's rivals, are revered as a highpoint in the glassmaker's art. If the piece delights, it's probably genuine. If it underwhelms, it's probably a fake or a piece by a lesser imitator.

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