Nakara: Ornate Victorian Glass Boxes by C.F. Monroe
Nakara is a line of hand-painted opal (milk glass) decorative boxes, vases, and accessories produced by the C.F. Monroe Company of Meriden, Connecticut from the 1890s through approximately 1916. Along with its sister line Wave Crest, Nakara represents some of the finest American Victorian decorated glass, featuring richly colored hand-painted backgrounds with floral, portrait, and scenic decoration. The name "Nakara" was trademarked by C.F. Monroe and is found on the firm's higher-end, more elaborately decorated pieces.
Identification and Marks
- "NAKARA" mark: Applied as a red or black printed backstamp on the base of pieces, though many authentic Nakara pieces are unmarked.
- C.F. Monroe Company: The Meriden, Connecticut firm that decorated opal glass blanks supplied by the Pairpoint Manufacturing Company and other glassmakers. Monroe did not make the glass itself but specialized in decoration and metal fittings.
- Distinguishing Nakara from Wave Crest: Both lines were produced by C.F. Monroe. Nakara generally features darker, richer background colors (deep olive, burgundy, cobalt, and forest green) compared to Wave Crest's lighter pastels. Nakara decoration tends to be more elaborate.
- Metal fittings: Pieces are mounted in ormolu-finished (gold-toned) or silvered metal hardware -- hinges, clasps, collars, and feet. Original hardware is essential to value.
- Glass blanks: The opal glass body is molded with various surface textures -- ribbed, beaded, swirled, or paneled -- before decoration.
Types of Nakara Pieces
- Dresser boxes: The most common form. Round, oval, square, and shaped boxes with hinged lids for holding jewelry, hairpins, or trinkets. Sizes range from 3 to 8 inches.
- Humidors: Tobacco humidors with distinctive cigar or pipe motifs painted on the lid. Highly collected and valuable.
- Pin trays and ring holders: Smaller accessory pieces, often matching larger dresser boxes.
- Vases: Less common than boxes, typically small bud vases with metal mounts.
- Cracker jars and biscuit jars: Cylindrical jars with silver-plated lids and bail handles.
- Photo receivers and mirrors: Hand mirrors and frames incorporating decorated opal glass panels.
Auction Price Ranges
| Item Type | Typical Range | Premium Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Small dresser box (3--4 in.) | $150 -- $400 | Portrait decoration: $400 -- $800 |
| Medium dresser box (5--6 in.) | $250 -- $600 | Exceptional painting: $600 -- $1,200 |
| Large dresser box (7--8 in.) | $400 -- $1,000 | Scenic or figural lid: $1,000 -- $2,000 |
| Humidor | $400 -- $1,200 | Cigar motif, fine quality: $1,200 -- $2,500 |
| Cracker/biscuit jar | $200 -- $500 | Elaborate decoration: $500 -- $1,000 |
| Pin tray | $75 -- $200 | Portrait or scenic: $200 -- $400 |
| Vase with metal mount | $200 -- $500 | Unusual form: $500 -- $1,000 |
| Photo receiver/mirror | $300 -- $700 | Fine portrait panel: $700 -- $1,500 |
Historical Context
Nakara was produced during the peak of Victorian decorative excess:
- C.F. Monroe Company: Founded by Charles Fabian Monroe in Meriden, Connecticut, a city known as the "Silver City" due to its concentration of silver and metalwork manufacturers.
- Production method: Monroe purchased opal glass blanks from glassmakers (primarily Pairpoint in New Bedford, Massachusetts) and decorated them in-house with hand-painted enamels and fired gold. Metal fittings were supplied by local Meriden metalworkers.
- Sister lines: Monroe produced three related lines -- Nakara (premium, darker colors), Wave Crest (the most prolific line, lighter pastels), and Kelva (mottled green backgrounds, the rarest of the three).
- Market: These pieces were sold as dresser accessories, vanity items, and gift objects through fine jewelry stores and department stores.
- Closure (1916): Monroe closed during World War I as tastes shifted and the market for Victorian decorative glass declined.
Condition Factors
- Paint condition: The hand-painted decoration is fired onto the glass surface but can still show wear, fading, or flaking, especially on pieces that were heavily used. Vivid, intact painting is essential.
- Metal hardware: Original ormolu fittings should be present and functional. Missing hinges, broken clasps, or replaced hardware significantly reduce value. Some darkening of the metal finish is expected with age.
- Glass integrity: Cracks or chips in the opal glass body are serious condition issues. The thick glass is relatively durable, but lid edges and rim areas are vulnerable.
- Lining: Some boxes retain original silk or velvet lining; presence of original lining adds modest value.
Collecting Tips
- Nakara humidors are the most sought-after form and consistently bring the highest prices, driven by crossover interest from both glass collectors and tobacciana enthusiasts.
- Portrait-decorated pieces (featuring women's faces, cherubs, or classical subjects) are more valuable than simple floral decoration.
- The distinction between Nakara and Wave Crest can be subtle; familiarize yourself with the darker Nakara color palette and the specific backstamp to differentiate them.
- Unmarked pieces can sometimes be attributed by comparing decoration style, glass mold patterns, and metal fittings against marked examples.
- C.F. Monroe closed in 1916; all genuine Nakara dates to the period between the 1890s and 1916. Later reproductions exist but lack the quality of decoration and proper period metal fittings.
- Kelva, the rarest of Monroe's three lines, features a distinctive mottled green background and is worth significantly more than comparable Nakara or Wave Crest pieces.
- Display Nakara pieces on glass shelves or lighted cabinets to showcase the depth and luminosity of the hand-painted decoration against the translucent opal glass body.