Durand Art Glass: Iridescent American Art Glass from Vineland, New Jersey
Durand art glass was produced by the Vineland Flint Glass Works in Vineland, New Jersey, from approximately 1924 to 1931. Victor Durand Jr. hired Martin Bach Sr. and other former Quezal Glass Company workers to create an art glass line rivaling Tiffany and Steuben. The resulting pieces -- characterized by lustrous iridescent surfaces, feather (pulled-feather) designs, King Tut (coil) patterns, and brilliant colors -- are among the finest American art glass produced in the early 20th century. Production ceased with Victor Durand's death in an automobile accident in 1931.
History and Production
Victor Durand Jr. inherited the Vineland Flint Glass Works, which had been producing scientific and industrial glass since 1897. In 1924, he recruited Martin Bach Sr. and several skilled glassblowers from the defunct Quezal Glass Company on Long Island to establish an art glass division. The art glass line was marketed as "Durand Art Glass" and sold through fine retailers including Tiffany & Co. The factory produced approximately 7 years of art glass before Durand's death ended the program. The factory briefly merged with Kimble Glass before closing.
Types and Decorative Techniques
- King Tut: Swirling coil pattern resembling ancient Egyptian designs; the signature Durand pattern
- Pulled feather: Elongated feather-like designs pulled with a hook tool
- Peacock feather: Heart-and-vine pulled design similar to Tiffany and Quezal
- Spider webbing: Threaded glass with random web-like pattern
- Moorish crackle: Crackled surface with metallic iridescence
- Cluthra: Controlled bubble patterns within colored glass
- Iridescent plain: Simple forms with gold, blue, or green iridescence
- Cut and polished: Geometric cut patterns on colored blanks
Identification and Marks
- Signature: "DURAND" engraved in script across the polished pontil, often with a shape number
- "V" mark: Some pieces bear a large "V" for Victor Durand
- Unsigned pieces: Some production was never signed; attribution relies on documented forms and techniques
- Pontil: Ground and polished flat pontil is characteristic
- Glass quality: Durand glass is notably brilliant and clear, with consistent color saturation
Auction Price Ranges
| Item | Type | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| King Tut vase, blue on gold, 8" | Coil pattern | $1,500 - $3,500 |
| Pulled feather vase, green on opal, 10" | Feather | $1,000 - $2,500 |
| Iridescent gold vase, classic form, 8" | Plain iridescent | $400 - $800 |
| Peacock feather shade | Pulled design | $300 - $600 |
| Cluthra vase, rose, 10" | Bubble glass | $800 - $2,000 |
| Spider web vase, blue, 6" | Threaded | $600 - $1,200 |
| Moorish crackle vase | Crackle | $500 - $1,000 |
| Cut glass vase, amber | Geometric cut | $400 - $900 |
Condition Factors
- Iridescence: Surface should be bright and unfaded; dulled iridescence from cleaning reduces value
- Chips and bruises: Even minor rim damage significantly affects art glass values
- Cracks: Internal stress cracks are irreparable and heavily penalize value
- Signature: Signed pieces command 20-40% more than unsigned examples of comparable form
- Surface wear: Scratches from use or display diminish iridescent effects
- Color vibrancy: Rich, saturated colors are most desirable; pale or muddy tones less so
Collecting Tips
Durand art glass represents exceptional quality at prices generally below comparable Tiffany pieces, making it an attractive alternative for iridescent art glass collectors. The King Tut coil pattern is the most iconic and consistently valuable Durand design. Blue and green iridescent pieces tend to bring higher prices than gold. Because the factory operated for only seven years, total production was relatively limited, and the best examples are genuinely scarce. Always verify signatures, as some Quezal and other art glass has been misattributed to Durand. The leading reference is Edward Meschi's "Durand: The Man and His Glass."