Crown Milano: Mt. Washington Art Glass
Crown Milano is a luxury art glass line produced by the Mt. Washington Glass Company of New Bedford, Massachusetts, from approximately 1886 to 1895. Characterized by its opal or cream-colored satin glass body with elaborate hand-painted enamel decoration, Crown Milano represents some of the finest American art glass of the Victorian era. The line was marketed as a competitor to European art glass and is today one of the most sought-after categories in American glass collecting.
History and Production
- Mt. Washington Glass Company: Founded 1837 in South Boston, relocated to New Bedford, Massachusetts in 1870
- 1886: Crown Milano line introduced under the direction of Frederick Shirley
- 1893: Albertine line introduced as a variation with similar decorative techniques
- 1894: Mt. Washington merges with Pairpoint Manufacturing Company
- Post-1895: Crown Milano production winds down as Pairpoint transitions to different product lines
- Related Mt. Washington art glass lines include Burmese, Royal Flemish, and Peach Blow
Identification and Marks
- Authentic Crown Milano bears a purple or red "CM" mark with a crown, typically on the base
- Some pieces carry paper labels reading "Crown Milano" rather than the stamped mark
- The Albertine variation uses an intertwined script mark
- The body is a heavy, opal white or cream satin glass, not transparent
- Decoration is hand-painted over the glass in polychrome enamels, often with heavy gilt outlines
- Metal mounts (lids, handles, rims) are typically silver-plated by Pairpoint and marked "MW" or with the Pairpoint quadruple plate mark
Decorative Subjects
- Floral motifs: Roses, chrysanthemums, wild flowers, and foliage in naturalistic enamels
- Coin and medallion designs: Raised gilt medallions with portrait busts or classical figures
- Scenic decoration: Landscapes, castles, and pastoral scenes
- Heraldic devices: Coats of arms, scrollwork, and Renaissance-inspired ornament
- Geometric panels: Swirling, quilted, or paneled backgrounds with gilt tracery
Auction Price Ranges
| Item Type | Typical Range | Premium Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Biscuit jar with SP lid | $400 - $1,200 | Elaborate decoration: $1,500 - $3,500 |
| Vase (6-10 in.) | $500 - $1,500 | Exceptional painting: $2,000 - $5,000 |
| Sugar shaker | $300 - $900 | Rare form or decoration: $1,200 - $2,500 |
| Sweetmeat jar | $400 - $1,000 | With figural SP mount: $1,500 - $3,000 |
| Ewer or pitcher | $600 - $2,000 | Large, elaborately painted: $3,000 - $6,000 |
| Bride's bowl | $500 - $1,500 | In original SP frame: $2,000 - $4,000 |
| Lamp or candelabrum | $1,500 - $5,000 | Matched pair: $8,000 - $15,000+ |
Condition Factors
- Enamel decoration must be intact; flaking or worn enamels reduce value by 40-60%
- Gilt outlines should be crisp; worn gilding is common and diminishes appeal
- The satin glass body should be free of cracks and chips; interior staining from use is difficult to remove
- Silver-plated mounts should be original; replaced or missing hardware significantly reduces value
- Pieces retaining original silver-plated lids and frames are worth substantially more than glass-only examples
Collecting Tips
- Always verify marks; Crown Milano is frequently confused with other opal glass or misattributed
- Pieces with elaborate figural silver-plated mounts by Pairpoint are among the most desirable
- Large ewers and vases with exceptional painting quality represent the top of the market
- Biscuit jars are the most commonly found form and offer an accessible entry point
- Color and complexity of enamel decoration are the primary drivers of value beyond form and size
- Compare with Royal Flemish, another Mt. Washington line that uses transparent glass with stained-glass-style decoration