Abacus
Antique Dealers: American Brilliant Cut Glass
Glass
has been cut in America for over 200 years and during
the Victorian Era more cut glass was made in America
than in any other time in its history. In the latter
part of the nineteenth century a distinctly American
style of cut glass bloomed. This glass had such clarity
and brilliance that it was called American Brilliant
Cut Glass. This is the glass on which I would like
to concentrate.
To
understand the periods of American cut glass production,
the Boggess s in their book, American Brilliant Cut
Glass, divided the production into three periods.
During
the Early Period (1830-1876) most of the cutters were
of European decent, so they used shallow cuts and
simple patterns with etching and engraving. Most companies
produced shades and globes for lamps, with only a
few producing tableware.
The
Brilliant Period (1876-1906) started at the Centennial
Exposition in Philadelphia where several American
companies exhibited an elegant prismatic glass that
was a tribute to American artistry. The glass cut
during this period had fewer impurities, was heavier
because of its lead content, and had original and
intricately cut patterns. English glass had a slightly
yellowish cast and weighed less while Irish and Bohemian
glass had a slightly grayish cast. American glass
from this period is appreciated because of the variety
of pieces and the exquisite, labor-intensive cuts.
During
the Flower Period (1906-1916), patterns with natural
designs such as plants, butterflies, and birds dominated.
Flowers, mainly daises, were frequently used. Cost-cutting
efforts produced a gradual decline in the quality
of glass during this time.
Considerable
knowledge is needed to select good pieces of brilliant
cut glass. Some of the things to look for are the
following:
1.
Hand-polished pieces are preferred over acid-polished
ones. The first brilliant cut glass was hand-polished
with a wooden wheel and pumice while brushes containing
an abrasive polished the smaller parts. Later, to
cut costs, an acid bath was used which softened the
sharp cuts, and diminished the brilliance. The acid
gave a watery, highly glossy look to the clear parts
and the shine was not as natural as hand polishing.
2.
Hand-blown blanks are preferred over mold-blown blanks,
and mold-blown blanks are preferred over figured blanks.
The blank should be thick, heavy, and have a luster
with a blue-white clarity. Figured blanks, which had
part of the design molded in it, were used by some
factories in the latter part of the Brilliant Period
to cut costs.
3.
Higher quality pieces of cut glass usually have more
complex patterns. Hobstars have more points and pinwheels
have more swirls. Sharp cuts, faceted hobstars, and
accuracy in cutting are things to consider. Patterns
that include a Gothic arch, swirls, pointed loops,
panels and circles are prized. Some patterns, such
as Lattice, Imperial, Parisian, and Arabian are more
desirable than others.
4.
The condition of the piece is very important. Small
nicks and scratches are common because of their age
and use. Value drops significantly if the glass is
fractured, cloudy, bruised, chipped, or repaired.
5.
Some pieces are more desirable than others. Large
pieces such as punch bowls, oil lamps, fish trays,
ice cream trays, and footed cake trays are treasured
by collectors. Hinged boxes, baskets, inkwells, canoes,
and candlesticks are prized. Pieces with a lid or
holder such as a butter or cheese dish or a handkerchief
or glove box are just a few things to look for. Collectors
especially seek out pieces with silver mountings such
as cologne bottles, candelabra, decanters and jewel
boxes.
6.
Unique features are a plus. Footed pieces that are
not usually on feet, pieces with handles that are
usually handleless, and any oddity and out of the
ordinary object is collectable.
7.
Intaglio, which was recessed carving with stone or
copper wheels, was labor-intensive and pieces with
it are much appreciated by collectors. Rare designs
include Libbey s love birds in the Wisteria pattern,
Hawkes ear of corn pattern, and Tuthills fruit cluster
pattern. Because of its cost, Intaglio was usually
confined to ornamental items.
8.
American color cut-to-clear glass is a true treasure.
This glass has a colored layer over the crystal and
the colored layer is cut to the clear layer. American
cutters preferred to use patterns so the color would
dominate. Russian pattern was one exception. Green,
ruby, amber, blue, amethyst, and rainbow colors were
used. Companies seldom signed their color cut-to-clear
pieces and identification is usually done by pattern
recognition.
9.
A signature is desirable, but condition, beauty, and
quality should be considered first. For years Americans
preferred European glass and since American factories
could sell their unsigned pieces as imports, it was
advantageous not to sign them. When public opinion
changed, the companies began to sign their products.
Always
beware when purchasing cut glass. Handle pieces in
sufficient light to detect defects such as fractures,
chips, bruising, clouding, and repairs. The more you
handle and examine cut glass the more familiar you
become with the quality of pieces.
Beware
of marriages . If a stopper rocks in the neck or goes
in too deep or too shallow, it could be a replacement.
Matching numbers that are sometimes etched on the
stopper and neck of an item helps to insure the pieces
are original. Make sure the patterns match on a 2-piece
item. Punch bowls and lamps are vulnerable to marriages
as are plates under butter or cheese covers.
Beware
of forges signatures. Unscrupulous dealers have forged
signatures on unsigned pieces of cut glass to increase
their value. Become familiar with company signatures.
Beware
of forgeries of rare, expensive patterns. Forged pieces
are identified by their lack of florescence under
ultra violet light.
Beware
of repaired pieces. In the excitement of finding a
specialpiece of cut glass, it is easy to over look
re-cut or re-styled glass.
Beware
of new and foreign glass. This glass sometimes has
a perfect look–no wear and a dull, over-all finish.
Parts of the pattern, especially the stars, are frosted
or unpolished in appearance. The teeth on the rims
are smaller and more uniform in size than older pieces.
Genuine colored American cut glass is almost never
seen. In foreign and new glass the color is darker
in hue than American glass and the color of new pieces
sometimes bleeds into the clear areas. Knowing how
new glass looks helps identify it. It is carried in
most discount department stores.
Beware!
Collecting American Brilliant Cut Glass is addictive.
And
what can you expect as a collector of cut glass: the
fun of the hunt at flea markets, garage sales, and
shows; the excitement of finding a piece at a tag
sale; the pleasure of cleaning a piece and seeing
its brilliant sparkle; the satisfaction of identifying
a pattern; the agony of deciding whether to buy a
piece; and the pride of owning a piece that you love.
