Cruets: Decorative Glass and Silver Condiment Bottles
Cruets are small, stoppered bottles designed to hold vinegar, oil, or other condiments at the dining table. In the antiques market, the term most commonly refers to the ornate Victorian art glass cruets produced by American glasshouses between 1870 and 1910, as well as earlier sterling silver examples from the 18th and 19th centuries. Cruets are actively collected both as individual pieces and as components of complete castor sets.
History and Development
- 17th-18th century: Silver and cut glass cruets produced in England and France, often in pairs or sets within a cruet frame (castor set)
- 1830s-1860s: Pressed glass cruets become common in American pattern glass
- 1870s-1910: Golden age of American art glass cruets; every major glasshouse produced distinctive forms
- Victorian era: Cruets become showcase pieces demonstrating the latest glass techniques
- Glass cruets gradually disappear from production after 1920 as dining customs change
Types of Cruets
- Art glass cruets: Produced in specialized glass types including cranberry, amberina, Burmese, peachblow, satin, and spangled glass
- Pattern glass cruets: Made in hundreds of pressed glass patterns; matched larger table sets
- Opalescent glass cruets: Featuring raised patterns in white opalescent against colored glass
- Cut glass cruets: Brilliant-period cut glass with elaborate geometric patterns
- Silver cruets: Sterling or silver-plated examples, sometimes in frames holding multiple bottles
- Castor sets: Complete frames holding cruets, salt and pepper shakers, and sometimes a mustard pot
Identification Tips
- Original stoppers are critical: faceted, blown, or pattern-matched stoppers should fit precisely
- Art glass cruets should match known production of specific factories (Hobbs Brockunier, Mt. Washington, Northwood, Fenton)
- Applied handles are typical of higher-quality pieces; pressed handles suggest later or less expensive production
- Pontil marks on the base indicate hand-blown production
- Pattern glass cruets can be identified using standard reference guides (Metz, Heacock, Bredehoft)
Auction Price Ranges
| Item Type | Typical Range | Premium Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Pattern glass cruet (common) | $15 - $50 | Rare patterns: $100 - $300 |
| Cranberry glass cruet | $60 - $200 | With enamel decoration: $250 - $500 |
| Amberina cruet (New England) | $150 - $500 | Plated amberina: $2,000 - $5,000 |
| Burmese cruet (Mt. Washington) | $200 - $600 | Decorated: $500 - $1,200 |
| Opalescent glass cruet | $40 - $150 | Rare colors: $200 - $500 |
| Cut glass cruet (brilliant period) | $50 - $200 | Signed examples: $250 - $600 |
| Sterling silver cruet frame set | $200 - $800 | Georgian silver: $1,000 - $3,000 |
Condition Factors
- Stoppers: A missing or replaced stopper reduces value by 40-60%; original stoppers must match in glass type and color
- Handles: Intact applied handles are essential; handle repairs are difficult to hide and substantially reduce value
- Spouts: Chips on the pour spout are common and reduce value by 20-30%
- Color: Art glass cruets should display characteristic color gradations without fading
- Interior residue: Mineral deposits and staining from use can sometimes be cleaned but may be permanent
Collecting Tips
- Always prioritize original stoppers; a fine cruet without its stopper is worth a fraction of a complete example
- Art glass cruets in unusual colors or experimental glass types are the strongest performers at auction
- Pattern glass cruets offer an affordable entry point with hundreds of patterns to pursue
- Complete castor sets with all original components and frame are far more valuable than individual cruets
- Reproductions are common, especially in cranberry and opalescent patterns; study known originals carefully
- Handle form, stopper style, and base treatment are the best indicators of factory attribution when pieces are unmarked