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About Antique Glass

Famous glass companies have histories that go back a century. Prominent glass makers include Baccarat in France, and Waterford in Ireland. Cut glass pieces were made and manufactured in England, Ireland and France. The most famous glass maker in America is the Tiffany Glass Company. They are known for their opulent stained glass lamps. Most antique glass collected today ranges from decorative to functional pieces. Two of the most popular antique glass types for collectors are antique brilliant cut glass and early American pattern glass.

American Brilliant Cut Glass
- American brilliant cut glass was manufactured between 1850 and 1910. Glass makers had to compete with the dominating European market to devise ways to manufacture quality glass. They did this by acquiring and using the same cutting tools that their rivals overseas used.
Significance
- American antique brilliant cut glass was equal to quality European pieces in demand in America. There is a high lead content in the American glass that makes it most distinctive. This is what creates the extra sparkly quality of the glass, which resembles a fine diamond.
Early American Pattern Glass
- Early American pattern glass or EAPG, was made during the Victorian period from 1850 to 1910 as well. It is called pattern glass because sets were made in matching patterns and only in sets; such as dishes and glasses. Pattern glass is heavy, with various designs molded into the glass in carved patterns.
Types
- Riverside is a well known pattern from 1897. Nineteenth century celery vases are considered common pattern glass items; green being the most popular color. Amber is considered a rarer color found on EAPG. Some pattern glass makers in America were The U.S. Glass Company, Northwood, McKee and Gillinder and Sons, Heisey, Fostoria, Bryce Brothers, and Higbee.
Hobnail Bubble Glass
- Hobnail bubble glass oil lamps from the 19th century are extremely popular to collect today. Hobnail is the raised bubble exterior on antique glass. Hobnail bubble glass oil lamps are aesthetically pleasing and useful.
Benefits
- People still use these types of lamps because they are a good source of light during a power outage. Hobnail bubble glass oil lamps are a part of history too, because they were made before the advent of electricity and were people's main light source. Antique art glass also comes in the hobnail pattern.
Opal Glass
- Antique opal glass from both France and America has a translucent milky look. Sometimes opal glass is mistaken for milk glass. Opal glass is translucent. This is due to the glass makers of the time using quality stained glass to make opal glass. The stained glass was reheated and chemically treated, giving opal glass a pearl-like luster as well.

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