They sure don’t make things the way they used to. While modern glassware does a bang-up job of containing your drink, it lacks the beauty and elegance that glassware from yesteryear boasts.
Vintage glassware is, therefore, a hot item now, both for collectors of antiques and those who seek a certain je ne sais quoi to add a touch of class to their homes and offices.
Judy’s Jewelry, the premier antiques and estate jewelry dealer of Fort Myers, discusses what’s trending now in the vintage glassware world, what’s valuable, and why.
Fenton Glassware
Fenton paved the way for modern American glassware by setting the gold standard for craftsmanship back in 1907. Drawing inspiration from Tiffany Studios and Steuben Glass, Fenton added whimsical elements like twists and bold coloring to their pieces, making them standouts in the scene.
Starting in 1973, they began incorporating a raised insignia for easy identification, but true antiques prior to this year require the discerning eye of a professional to pick out what is authentic and what is little more than a convincing fake.
As far as antiques go, Fenton falls in the more affordable range, fetching around $100 per piece.
Depression Glass
Depression glass was ironically created to be affordable during the 1930s and ‘40s when the Great Depression was taking place. Americans were working hard to make ends meet in one of the worst economic climates of the time, but still had a need for functional items that offered a little style and class.
Thus, glass pieces were created to be affordable for the time period, and today their history has caused their prices and value to skyrocket. Authentic Depression glass pieces could sell for $500 or more depending on the brand and specific piece.
Jeanette Bottle Works is one of the most prominent brands of this time, known for deep blue hues and usage of the cherry blossom pattern on a number of their dinnerware sets.
Milk Glass
The name suggests milk glass should be exclusively opaque white, but variants were produced in black, pink, and green as well. Milk glass was originally created in the late 19th century as an alternative to European glass and china.
Milk glass was an everyday commodity at the time, but surged in popularity starting in the 1940s and ‘50s, becoming a timeless collectible today. Popular brands include Westmoreland, Kemple, and Fenton, and pieces could be costly.
One such piece, a pressed sugar bowl created by C. Ihmsen Company in the 1850s, sold for over $3,000 to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. While this is exorbitant, milk glass pieces could cost quite a bit and make a stunning addition to any collector’s display.
Many modern manufacturers, who also prize the precision and beauty of vintage glassware, are now creating pieces to mirror these timeless classics. Because of this, it is difficult to determine what is an authentic antique and what is not.
Don’t guess; visit Judy’s Jewelry in Fort Myers to have it seen by a professional. Not only do they pride themselves on knowing the extensive history of antique items, including vintage glassware, they also buy and sell items from many categories.
Visit Judy’s Jewelry today for all your antique and vintage glassware needs!
About us
Judy’s Jewelry Antiques and Estate Jewelry is a family owned and operated company. With over 30 years of experience as Southwest Florida’s leading Antique and Estate Dealer in Fort Myers, FL, you can expect expert customer service whether we are appraising your antiques or selling your fine jewelry or collectibles. Come in to get an honest appraisal of your items from owner, Sal Lanzieri. We are the largest buyer of antique, vintage and costume jewelry, gold, silver, diamonds, coins and other precious metals in SWFL. We love history and sharing our knowledge of pieces and their place in time with our customers. Come look over our ever changing inventory of vintage and antique collectibles. Call 239-481-9600 or visit our website at https://judysjewelry-fortmyers.com/ #buyvintageglassware #buyantiques #buyvintage
