Milk Glass Information

Fundamentals

• Named for its opaque characteristic, milk glass colors include the original white as well as blue, pink, yellow, brown and black. It comes in a variety of functional and ornamental styles ranging from simple smooth platters to ornately detailed decorative bowls and vases.

  The milky color, almost porcelain-like in the pure white products, comes from the addition of ash or oxides to clear glass as it is heated.

History

• Developed in Venice, Italy, in the 1500s, milk glass did not obtain its name until the 20th century when it reached its height in collectible popularity, according to the Collectors Weekly website. Prior to that time, the translucent glass items were sold simply as "opaque glass," according to the MilkGlass.org website.

  The popularity of milk glass as functional and collectible objects began in the late 1800s when manufacturers made a variety of milk glass plates, goblets, serving dishes and decorative items that became symbols of style and taste, especially in France. French end-of-century milk glass remains among the most collectible and valuable.

  Milk glass popularity waned during the Depression and into the 1950s, according to Collectors Weekly. Manufacturers developed new colors, including pink and new items such as powder jars and candle holders in an effort to gain new customers. A resurgence in popularity started in the 1960s.

Types

• Manufacturers produced milk glass in functional forms including goblets, covered dishes, pitchers and plates and, as its popularity increased, a variety of decorative items. Plates commemorated or celebrated historic events and presidential campaigns. Some plates bore the face of United States President George Washington surrounded by 13 stars. Others included relief portraits of Christopher Columbus, William Jennings Bryan and William Howard Taft, according to the Collectors Weekly website.

  Other items included images of flowers, dogs, birds or landscapes. Some edges mimicked latticework while others were scalloped. The hobnail pattern looked as if the glass was lace or the edges were ruffled, according to the MilkGlass.org website. A diamond pattern known as sawtooth adorned covered dishes made in the shapes of ducks, chickens, lions, fish and other animals.

Identification

• Markings and patterns on milk glass objects can help identify the manufacturer and age, according to MilkGlass.org. Almost all hobnail is produced by the Fenton company. Other milk glass manufacturers include Westmoreland Glass Company, L.E. Smith Glass Company, U.S. Glass Company and Duncan Glass. Because milk glass has been made for so long, by so many manufacturers, collectors recommend using reference books to identify specific milk glass items.

Considerations

• Antique milk glass items should not be put in the dishwasher. Manufacturer cleaning and care recommendations should be consulted before putting contemporary milk glass in the dishwasher.