Hawkes: Premier American Brilliant-Period Cut Glass

T.G. Hawkes and Company was one of the foremost American cut glass manufacturers, established in 1880 by Thomas Gibbons Hawkes in Corning, New York. The firm became synonymous with the highest quality American cut glass during the Brilliant Period (1876-1916), winning the Grand Prize at the 1889 Paris Exposition and producing elaborate cut glass for the White House, embassies, and the most discriminating American households. Hawkes glass is considered among the finest ever produced in America.

History and Timeline

• 1880: Thomas G. Hawkes, an Irish immigrant who trained at Hoare & Dailey, establishes his own cutting shop in Corning, New York
• 1882: Partners with his father-in-law's Corning Glass Works, which supplies glass blanks
• 1889: Wins the Grand Prize at the Paris Exposition for the "Chrysanthemum" pattern; establishes international reputation
• 1896: Supplies cut glass service for the White House during the Cleveland administration
• 1900s: Peak production period; employs hundreds of cutters
• 1903: Registered the Hawkes trefoil trademark (a shamrock/trefoil with two hawks)
• 1910s-1920s: Brilliant Period wanes; Hawkes transitions to lighter cutting and engraved designs
• 1962: Company closes after 82 years of operation

Patterns and Designs

• Chrysanthemum: The firm's most famous pattern; won the 1889 Paris Grand Prize
• Russian and Russian variants: Elaborate geometric patterns of hobstars, strawberry diamond, and fans
• Gladys: A popular pattern combining hobstars with curved miter cuts
• Venetian: Deeply cut geometric design with hobstar centers
• Queens: Intricate combination of hobstars, cane, and strawberry diamond
• Gravic: Hawkes's line of deeply engraved naturalistic designs (flowers, fruits) from the early 1900s
• Later patterns: Lighter, more delicate cutting reflecting changing tastes after 1910

Identification and Marks

• Acid-etched trademark: Trefoil (three-leaf clover) with two hawks; used after 1903
• Script signature: "Hawkes" in script, acid-etched into the glass
• Earlier pieces (pre-1903) are typically unsigned; attribution based on pattern identification
• The glass blanks were high-quality lead crystal supplied primarily by Corning Glass Works and later Steuben
• The weight of the glass and sharpness of the cutting distinguish Hawkes from lesser manufacturers
• Some pieces carry both the Hawkes mark and the Steuben fleur-de-lis (when Steuben supplied the blank)

Auction Price Ranges

Condition Factors

• Chips to rims, edges, and points of cut patterns are the most common damage; even small chips reduce value
• Cracks are fatal to value; always examine pieces carefully in good light
• Cloudiness or etching from dishwasher use cannot be reversed; clear, brilliant glass is essential
• Sharpness of cutting indicates quality and condition; worn or polished-down cutting reduces value
• Signatures may be faint; examine the base carefully under good light or with a magnifier
• Repairs to cut glass are generally unsuccessful and obvious; repaired pieces have minimal collector value

Collecting Tips

• Signed Hawkes pieces command premiums of 25-50% over equivalent unsigned pieces
• The Chrysanthemum pattern is the most famous and desirable; any form in this pattern commands attention
• Larger pieces (punch bowls, trays, large vases) are the most impressive and valuable
• Hawkes Gravic ware offers a different aesthetic; deeply engraved flowers and fruits appeal to collectors who prefer naturalistic designs
• Compare with other premier Brilliant Period makers including Libbey, Dorflinger, and Sinclaire
• The brilliant-cut glass market has been relatively flat; this represents a buying opportunity for quality pieces
• Examine pieces in natural light to check for cracks, repairs, and cloudiness before purchasing