Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Happy 25th Anniversary - Silver Decorated Glass - Silver City's Springtime

Wouldn't this make an outstanding gift for your 25th wedding anniversary? It is a torte plate that would be perfect to hold cake or sandwiches or canapes at a party.
The glass itself is Caprice by Cambridge, easily told by the looped optic design and scalloped shape. The silver design, with its lavish blossoms and leaf sprays, is by Silver City. It is called Springtime, just a perfect name.
The banner reads 25th Anniversary. Silver City was one of several companies that decorated glass with silver and sometimes gold. Silver City, like Lotus Glass and others, purchased glass blanks from other companies and decorated for the gift ware market. This is a perfect example!

Monday, February 25, 2008

Romance of Vintage Stemware: Morgantown Mayfair - Baskets Overflowing with Flowers

It seems like every glass maker had a Mayfair pattern! Hocking's was mold etched roses, Fostoria's was square and this one, by Morgantown, has three baskets overflowing with flowers and connected by swags and leaves. The piece you see here is the footed water tumbler.

For some reason many Morgantown stemware patterns are less expensive than similar glass from Cambridge or Heisey. As an example, book value on this footed tumbler is about $15-20, while many etched Cambridge patterns would be $20-40. If you like the Morgantown patterns that may help make it easier to decide to collect this stemware.

To my eye many Morgantown etchings are overly complicated, but this one is nice, simple enough that you can see the design but beautiful. There are three baskets repeated around the bowl of the tumbler and they always make me think of tulips with the thin base and overflowing tops.

We have this particular stem listed on eBay this week and have more in our TIAS store.
http://stores.ebay.com/Vintage-Elegant-Depression-Glass
http://www.tias.com/stores/catladykate/

Friday, February 22, 2008

Cambridge Green Console Bowl Etch 727


Here is one of the less well-known etches from Cambridge Glass; this one is number 727. It reminds me of puffs of cotton balls or clover blossoms in a wide band with leaves and scrolls. It's a very appealing design that looks exceptionally good on a piece like this bowl that is big enough to show off the pattern.



Console bowls were made to be centerpieces, usually flanked by candles set in matching candle holders, on a table, or set on a side table. Side tables were called console tables, thus the name. Bowls with rolled rims, like this one, are dramatic pieces that are great settings for the wonderful etchings. You can even get glass frogs to set inside the bowl, yet the flowers and water will not obscure the beautiful etch.

Console bowls are a personal favorite and I hope to entice you to enjoy them too!

Friday, February 1, 2008

Beautiful Center Handled Server by Cambridge Glass



This is Cambridge Glass etch 732, which has large round stylized flowers flanked by elaborate scrolls and tassles. Yes, this is as gorgeous in person as it appears in the picture.

Center handled sandwich servers, CHS for short, are among the signature pieces of depression glass. They were used for small cakes, cookies or even small sandwiches. They are fun to use today and add a touch of class and elegance. Using this is one easy way to make your home memorable!

Many glass firms made center handled servers and you can distinguish them by the handle shape and other clues. This particular example has the gently rounded, slightly concave handle that you see and was made by Cambridge.

We offer this in our eBay store and our TIAS store.