Vallerysthal: French Pressed Glass & Milk Glass
Vallerysthal (officially Verreries de Vallerysthal) was a major French glassworks located in Vallerysthal, Lorraine (now Moselle), operating from 1838 until the late 20th century. The factory is best known for its pressed glass, particularly opaque white (milk glass) and colored glass animal-form covered dishes, figural pieces, and tableware that competed directly with similar American products. Vallerysthal pieces are sought by collectors of both French glass and figural covered dishes.
History & Production
The Vallerysthal glassworks was founded in 1838 and merged with the nearby Portieux glassworks in 1855, operating as Vallerysthal-Portieux. Due to its location in Lorraine, the factory alternated between French and German control following the Franco-Prussian War (1871) and the two World Wars. The company produced a vast range of pressed glass including tableware, lamp bases, salt cellars, and its most famous products: opaque glass covered dishes in animal and figural shapes.
Identification & Marks
- Molded Marks: Many pieces carry a molded "VALLERYSTHAL" mark, sometimes with "PORTIEUX"
- Paper Labels: Original paper labels occasionally survive
- Mold Numbers: Pressed pieces often have mold numbers on the base
- Colors: Milk white (the most common), blue opaque, green opaque, amber, and clear pressed glass
- Style: French pressed glass tends to have finer detail and slightly different proportions than American equivalents
Auction Price Ranges
| Item | Type | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Milk glass hen on nest (common) | 1880s-1920s | $30 - $100 |
| Colored glass animal covered dish | 1880s-1920s | $75 - $300 |
| Large milk glass figural piece | 1880s-1920s | $100 - $400 |
| Pressed glass compote or footed dish | 1870s-1920s | $40 - $150 |
| Colored opaque salt cellar set | 1880s-1910s | $50 - $200 |
| Rare figural form (camel, swan, fish) | 1880s-1920s | $150 - $500 |
| Clear pressed glass tableware piece | 1870s-1920s | $20 - $75 |
| Lamp base or font | 1880s-1910s | $75 - $250 |
Condition Factors
- Chips and flakes: Pressed glass edges are vulnerable; chips significantly reduce value
- Mold quality: Sharp, well-defined pressing indicates early molds; blurry details suggest worn molds
- Color consistency: Even, uniform color is preferred; mottling or streaking may indicate defects
- Fit: Covered dishes must have well-fitting lids; mismatched or warped covers reduce value
- Paint: Some pieces had cold-painted decoration that wears easily; intact paint adds value
- Marks: Clearly marked pieces command premiums over unmarked examples
Collecting Tips
- Animal-form covered dishes (hens, roosters, rabbits, ducks) are the most popular collecting category
- Colored opaque glass (blue, green, amber) brings significant premiums over white milk glass
- Distinguish Vallerysthal from similar American pieces by Atterbury, Westmoreland, and others
- Rare animal forms (camels, fish, swans) are highly sought after
- The factory's long production history means pieces span many decades; earlier examples are generally preferred
- French glass collectors value Vallerysthal alongside Portieux, Choisy-le-Roi, and other regional factories
- Reproductions of popular covered dish forms exist; study original mold details and glass quality