New To Collecting Antique Glassware From Auction? Read This First!
Monday, July 27th, 2020
If you collect glassware or are interested in the hobby, auctions can be a great place to find unique pieces. Antique glass can be fun to find and collect, especially if you can get some good deals. Antique glass is beautiful and can be valuable for resale too. Here are some tips that can help you start your collecting journey!
How to tell if you’re looking at antique glass
You don’t have to be an expert to make sure you get a genuine piece of glassware. There are a few ways to know whether a piece of glass is antique including using a guide, looking at the color and pattern, and knowing how to identify recreations.
Use an identification guide
This is a good first step when you start collecting glassware because it can help you find what you like and what is most valuable. You should research the various types of antique glass that are available before going to an auction. An up-to-date guide can tell you what is out there and good prices. Sometimes, the guide will also provide information on where to find specific pieces.
Pay close attention to color and pattern
Antique glass comes in a large variety of colors, but patterns only come in limited color ranges depending upon the manufacturer. Some popular patterns are Heisey, Cambridge, and Fostoria. You may also find some unique pieces in additional styles that you didn’t expect. Some colors are more valuable than others as well. Uranium glass, for example, has beautiful colors that glow under ultraviolet light.
Know how to identify re-releases
Some companies take once popular patterns and re-release them decades later. This can make identifying antiques a bit more difficult. Be sure to do some research about particular pieces of glassware if you think they could be reproductions. Knowing the differences between original and recreated patterns can help you determine the authenticity of a piece.
Types of antique (and vintage) collectible glassware
There are thousands of types and styles of glassware. Glass has been created since the Bronze Age and has been popular around the world. Today, the late-19th through the mid-20th century is considered the best time for the art of glassmaking.
It can help to narrow down the focus of your collection so you aren’t overwhelmed by choices. Auctions only have a limited amount of items to sell. However, you should still know exactly what you want to bid on. Here are some of the most common and popular types to watch for at auctions.
Fenton glassware
The Fenton Glass Company was extremely popular and helped develop many of the most beloved styles of glassware during the “American Brilliant” era. They were inspired by Steuben Glass and Tiffany Studios. In 1907, they released carnival glass, reaching 150 patterns of the style. Fenton is also known for its hobnail, milk, custard, chocolate, and opalescent styles.
Identifying Fenton glassware can sometimes be difficult. Pieces made in 1973 until now have a raised, oval-shaped logo to identify them. Those made before 1973 typically have a stick-on label that is usually not found on pieces made today. Designs, patterns, and colors can all help identify pieces that don’t have labels at all.
Values differ as much as style and color. For example, some large ebony vases sell for hundreds of dollars while more modern, smaller pieces sell for less than one hundred. Rare pieces of cranberry and carnival glass from Fenton can sell for thousands of dollars.
Art glass
This type of collectible glassware refers to the innovative styles created at the beginning of the 20th century. Brands like Tiffany, Durand, Quezal, and Stueben led the movement, but many companies produced a variety of styles and colors. Some had vibrant colors, iridescence, or patterns from nature while others featured bold, abstract designs.
Generally speaking, art glass is one of the most popular styles to collect and can be pricey. Many seek specific pieces from certain makers, which can greatly affect their value. Every company has identifying marks on their art glass that can help you determine which maker created a piece. But, you will need to pay attention to the styles, colors, and markings of genuine pieces to ensure you get antiques at auction instead of reproductions.
Crystal glassware
This style looks similar to regular glass, but it is of higher quality and made with lead. The wealthy have enjoyed its light-reflecting qualities since the 19th century and it has been a popular serving choice for hosts to this day. Collectors consider pieces of crystal glassware made before World War I to be antiques, while pieces made afterward to be vintage.
You can identify this type of crystal glassware by sight and sound. It is stronger, heavier, and smoother than regular glass. It will also reflect light in a soft prism of colors. If you lightly tap it, the glass should make a “pinging” sound. Well-known manufacturers mark the bottom of their pieces so they can be easier to identify.
The value of crystal glassware varies, but decorative pieces and those made during the American Brilliant period can sell for thousands of dollars. The selling price will depend on the maker, style, and condition.
Carnival glass
This style, created by Fenton Glass Company, was a more affordable option than Tiffany’s Favril Glass, but beautiful in its own right. Because people didn’t want to pay a high price, carnival glass became a popular choice. This glass was also often given as a prize for winning carnival games. By 1925, it fell out of popularity in the United States but was favored again in the 1950s.
Carnival glass is known for its sheen and multiple colors that change at different angles. Age, item type, color, size, and condition all affect the value of these collectibles. Rare colors like marigold and ice green sell for thousands of dollars. Full sets or pieces made before the 1940s also sell for large sums.
Depression glass
This type of glassware is some of the most known in the industry. When the stock market crashed in 1929, glass was still a commodity. People needed glassware to host guests, use it every day in the home, and have something decorative to enjoy. Depression glass served this purpose well. It was very colorful and sold inexpensively.
Etched designs, light or opaque colors, and geometric shapes are common. When pieces of depression glass were made, they often had flaws. However, these do not affect their value and help collectors identify them as authentic. The most valuable pieces of depression glass are uncommon shapes, have intricate patterns and designs, are pink or green, and are in great condition.
Depression glass is quite affordable today, which makes it a great option for collectors on a budget. Values range from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars depending on the pattern, color, and condition of the piece. It’s important to do your research when collecting Depression glass as there are many reproductions in circulation.
What to be aware of when collecting
While collecting antique glass can be an exciting and fulfilling hobby, it is important to be aware of some potential challenges that may arise. When purchasing glassware at auctions, it is essential to be cautious of reproductions or fakes. These may not hold the same value as genuine antique pieces and can be difficult to differentiate from the real thing.
Another factor to consider is the condition of the glassware. Pieces that are damaged or have flaws may not be as valuable, so it’s important to carefully inspect each item. Additionally, it is important to be aware of market trends and fluctuations in value. Educating oneself on the glassware market can help collectors make informed decisions when purchasing pieces for their collection.
Interested in attending estate auctions in Texas?
If you would like to find glassware and other antiques and collectibles, High Plains Auctioneers can help. We host a variety of auctions including estate, farm, and equipment auctions. You can reach us at (806) 244-6776 or Contact Us by email to learn more. Don’t forget to check out our Upcoming Auctions to see what we will have available!