Wheeling: Peachblow & Art Glass from West Virginia
Wheeling Peachblow, also known as Wheeling Peach Blow or Coral, is a distinctive type of shaded art glass produced by Hobbs, Brockunier & Company of Wheeling, West Virginia, in the late 1880s. This glass graduates in color from a deep red or mahogany at the top to a golden yellow at the base, created through heat-sensitive glass containing uranium and gold. Wheeling Peachblow was inspired by the sensational 1886 auction of the Morgan collection, where a Chinese peachbloom-glazed porcelain vase sold for the then-astounding price of $18,000, sparking a peachblow craze among American glassmakers.
Identification & Characteristics
Wheeling Peachblow is distinguished by its specific color graduation: deep red/mahogany shading to golden yellow. It was produced in both glossy and satin (acid-etched matte) finishes. The glass may be either a single layer (lined) with a white opal glass interior or unlined. Lined pieces show a white interior when held to light and are heavier than unlined examples. Wheeling Peachblow differs from New England Peachblow (which shades from rose to white) and Webb Peachblow (which has deeper, richer coloring). The glass fluoresces under UV light due to its uranium content. Pieces are generally unmarked, requiring identification by color, form, and glass characteristics.
Types & Forms
- Morgan Vase: The most famous Wheeling Peachblow form, a gourd-shaped vase with a griffin stand, directly inspired by the Morgan Chinese vase
- Standard Vases: Various shapes including bottle, bulbous, and cylindrical forms
- Cruets: Small bottles with applied handles and stoppers
- Tumblers: Drinking glasses showing the color graduation effectively
- Pitchers/Creamers: Pouring vessels with applied handles
- Sugar Bowls: Covered vessels, often with matching creamers
- Finger Bowls: Tableware pieces
Auction Price Ranges
| Item | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Tumblers | $200 - $600 |
| Small vases (under 5 inches) | $300 - $800 |
| Medium vases (5-8 inches) | $500 - $1,500 |
| Cruets (with original stopper) | $400 - $1,200 |
| Pitchers/creamers | $400 - $1,500 |
| Sugar bowls (covered) | $300 - $1,000 |
| Morgan vase (with griffin stand) | $1,500 - $8,000 |
| Large vases (over 8 inches) | $800 - $3,000 |
| Satin finish pieces | Premium over glossy |
| Finger bowls | $200 - $500 |
Condition Factors
Color quality and intensity are the most important value determinants. Rich, deep red shading to warm golden yellow indicates premium examples. Pale or muddy coloring reduces value significantly. Satin-finished pieces should retain complete, undamaged matte texture. Chips are serious defects, particularly on thin-walled pieces. Applied handles should be firmly attached and undamaged. Stoppers on cruets must be original; replacement stoppers significantly diminish value. The white opal lining on lined pieces should be intact without interior chips or crazing. Surface scratches, while less visible on satin pieces, reduce value on glossy examples.
Collecting Tips
Wheeling Peachblow is among the most desirable American Victorian art glass, with the Morgan vase form being iconic. Lined (white interior) pieces are generally more common and heavier than unlined examples. The satin finish is preferred by most collectors over glossy for its enhanced visual effect. Matching pairs or sets of tableware pieces command significant premiums. Compare Wheeling Peachblow with New England Peachblow (lighter colors, different forms) and Webb Peachblow (deeper colors, English origin) to understand the differences. Reproductions exist; examine glass quality, color characteristics, and construction methods carefully. The Oglebay Institute's Glass Museum in Wheeling provides essential reference material. UV testing confirms uranium content in authentic pieces.