Nash: American Art Glass by A. Douglas Nash

Nash glass refers to the art glass produced by Arthur Douglas Nash (1882--1940) and the A. Douglas Nash Corporation, which operated in Corona, Long Island, New York from 1928 to approximately 1931. Arthur Douglas Nash was the son of Arthur J. Nash, who had been the chief glass designer and plant manager at Tiffany Furnaces, and A. Douglas himself worked at Tiffany's Corona glassworks for many years. After Tiffany ceased glass production in 1928, the younger Nash acquired some of the equipment and continued producing high-quality art glass under his own name.

Identification and Marks

• "NASH" signature: Pieces are typically signed "Nash" in script on the base, sometimes with a model or shape number. The signature may be engraved, etched, or applied in paint or ink.
• Numbering system: Nash used a numbering system for his designs (e.g., "RD" for certain shapes), though documentation of the full system is incomplete.
• Relationship to Tiffany: Nash glass often closely resembles late Tiffany Favrile production, as Nash used similar techniques and some of the same equipment. Distinguishing Nash from unmarked late Tiffany pieces requires careful examination of signature, form, and color treatment.
• Production period: All Nash glass dates from the brief period of approximately 1928--1931, making it inherently scarce.

Types and Styles

• Chintz glass: Nash's most distinctive and collected pattern -- a thin, delicate striped or pulled-feather decoration in multiple colors (often red, blue, and gold) over a clear or tinted ground. Chintz pieces are the hallmark of Nash production.
• Gold and blue iridescent glass: Continuing the Tiffany Favrile tradition, Nash produced vases, bowls, and stemware with rich gold and blue iridescent surfaces.
• Pulled-feather and peacock designs: Similar to Tiffany's pulled decoration but with Nash's own color sensibility.
• Tableware and stemware: Wine glasses, cordials, finger bowls, and compotes in both iridescent and non-iridescent finishes.
• Vases: Various forms including trumpet, bulbous, and cylindrical shapes, in both iridescent and patterned (chintz) treatments.

Auction Price Ranges

Historical Context

The Nash glass story is inseparable from the Tiffany legacy:

• Arthur J. Nash (father): An English glassmaker recruited by Louis Comfort Tiffany in 1892 to manage the Corona, Long Island glassworks. He was instrumental in developing the Favrile glass techniques that made Tiffany famous.
• A. Douglas Nash (son): Grew up in the glass industry and worked alongside his father at the Tiffany furnaces. When Tiffany shut down glass production in 1928, Douglas Nash formed his own company.
• A. Douglas Nash Corporation (1928--1931): Operating from the former Tiffany works in Corona, Nash produced art glass that continued the Favrile tradition while introducing his own innovations, most notably the Chintz pattern.
• Brief duration: The company was undercapitalized and could not survive the Great Depression. It closed around 1931 after only about three years of independent production.
• Libbey connection: After the Nash Corporation closed, A. Douglas Nash briefly worked for Libbey Glass in Toledo, Ohio, before his death in 1940.

Condition Factors

• Surface condition: Iridescent glass should retain its full lustrous surface. Scratches, cloudiness, or loss of iridescence from improper cleaning significantly reduce value.
• Chips: Even small rim chips are problematic on art glass. Interior bruises (half-moon fractures beneath the surface) also reduce desirability.
• Signature clarity: A clear, legible "Nash" signature adds confidence in attribution and supports value. Worn or indistinct signatures may raise questions.
• Chintz pattern integrity: The delicate striped decoration should be consistent and well-executed. Uneven or poorly pulled patterns indicate lower-quality production.

Collecting Tips

• Nash glass occupies a unique position as a direct continuation of Tiffany glass production by the family that managed Tiffany's glassworks, making it appealing to both Nash and Tiffany collectors.
• Chintz-pattern pieces are the most distinctly "Nash" product and are the most sought after; they have no direct Tiffany equivalent.
• The very short production period (roughly three years) makes all Nash glass relatively scarce, though not all pieces command high prices.
• Nash glass pairs naturally with Tiffany Favrile, Steuben, Durand, and Quezal in collections of American art glass from the iridescent era.
• Because Nash worked with former Tiffany equipment and techniques, unsigned Nash pieces can be misattributed as Tiffany or vice versa. Always examine signatures carefully and compare forms against known Nash designs.
• Nash stemware and tableware pieces offer a more affordable collecting entry point than vases, with individual glasses available for under $150.
• The brief production period makes Nash glass inherently scarce; even common forms appear at auction far less frequently than Tiffany, Steuben, or Durand equivalents.
• Nash glass is well represented in the Corning Museum of Glass collection, which serves as an essential reference for forms and colors.
• When cleaning iridescent Nash glass, use only warm water and a soft cloth; harsh chemicals or abrasives can permanently damage the delicate surface treatment.
• The rarity and historical significance of Nash glass make it a rewarding area for collectors who appreciate the artistry of the American iridescent glass movement.