Glass - Colorful, Collectible & Decorative

About Our Antique Mall About Antiques News & Press What's In Store (Antiques, of course!) Virtual Showcase Mall Views - 2004 Mall Views - 2005 Antique FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

By Janet Werner

The best kept secret in the antique shops is the colorful glass for the home decorative market. As featured recently on the Antiques Roadshow by local antique dealer and appraiser, David Lackey, decorative glass is not only versatile, but reasonable in price. Use it in every room of the house for any number of reasons, but primarily to accent the color scheme of the room. 

Decorative glass is divided into two primary categories, art glass and decorative glass. Art glass is the high end of the market, and is highly sought after by the collectors for its superb craftsmanship. Dating back to the late 1800’s and into the early 1900’s, Venetian, carnival, and cut glass comprise the high end market. The artisans have long since passed, away taking their talents with them.

As the glass reaches 100 years old, the value goes up exponentially, not incrementally. Art glass was created by such renown artisans Louis Comfort Tiffany, Galle’, and Stueben, to name a few.

Cut glass from the American Brilliant period (1876-1906) can be researched by the pattern thus dating the piece and identifying the glass manufacturer, and in some cases, even the craftsman.

Signed pieces are of course, more valuable than unsigned. Look for a name etched in the glass, usually in the inside center of the piece.

Glass manufactured for decorative purposes is much more affordable and utilitarian. It can be used for a variety of purposes, aside for the purpose for which it was originally intended – flower arrangements. In tall vases substitute bamboo for good luck; consulting with a Feng Shui master for the most auspicious place.

Any compote is ideal for business cards, candy, or pot pourri. Because this glassware is reasonable in price, it can be used on the buffet or table for serving purposes.

The most popular decorative glass is the Murano glass from Italy; each piece unique in color and shape.

This glass is asymmetrically-shaped like an amoeba, and was typically used for ashtrays in the 1950s. The most unique are the ones with the millefiori (“many flowers”) pattern in the glass, or the ‘end-of-day’ glass giving the piece a splattered effect. These pieces are individual works of art and superior in quality to the oversized, ceramic ashtrays from the same period.

Due to the popularity of this glass, authors are scrambling to produce reference books with values, but origin is difficult since these pieces are rarely signed.

Look for unique glass and reference books on various kinds of glass, at the Spring Antique Mall located on the outskirts of Old Town Spring, at the southwest corner of I-45 and FM 2920 (U-Haul Rental Center). Reference the map in this same publication, or call 281-353-1110 for further directions.

We have fun! Come see us!