Pressed Glass: Machine-Molded American and European Tableware
Pressed glass is glassware formed by pressing molten glass into patterned metal molds, a technique developed in the United States in the 1820s that revolutionized glass production by making decorative tableware affordable for the middle class. The Boston & Sandwich Glass Company, established in 1825 on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, was the pioneering manufacturer, though dozens of factories across New England, Pittsburgh, and the Midwest soon followed. Pressed glass remained the dominant American tableware from the 1840s through the early 1900s.
History and Development
- 1825-1850: Early period; lacy glass with stippled backgrounds that disguised mold imperfections. Boston & Sandwich, New England Glass Company, and Pittsburgh firms dominated.
- 1850-1870: Transition to clear, non-stippled patterns. Flint glass (lead content) produced a brilliant ring when tapped.
- 1870-1900: Golden age of pattern glass. Hundreds of named patterns produced by dozens of factories. Non-flint (soda-lime) glass replaced lead glass.
- 1900-1920s: Late production overlaps with early Depression glass. Patterns become simpler, production more standardized.
Identification
Pattern Recognition
Over 1,000 named pressed glass patterns have been cataloged. Key reference works include Metz, Lee, and Kamm pattern guides. Identification requires matching the pattern motif, shape range, and manufacturing characteristics.
Distinguishing Features
- Mold lines: Seams where mold pieces met are visible; hand-blown glass lacks these
- Stippling: Tiny raised dots on early lacy glass backgrounds
- Flint vs. non-flint: Pre-1870 flint glass rings when tapped; post-1870 non-flint produces a dull thud
- Maker attribution: Few pieces are marked; identification relies on pattern, color, and form comparisons with known factory production
Notable Patterns and Makers
- Lacy Sandwich: Early stippled patterns from Boston & Sandwich; the most valuable category
- Bellflower: Popular 1850s-60s pattern with fine ribbing and vine motif
- Lion (Frosted Lion): Gillinder & Sons, 1876 Centennial pattern with frosted lion finials
- Westward Ho (Pioneer): Gillinder, 1879; frosted bison, deer, and log cabin motifs
- Three Face: Duncan & Sons, 1878; three female faces on stems; heavily reproduced
- Daisy and Button: Produced by many factories; common but popular
- Moon and Star: Various makers; distinctive celestial motifs
Auction Price Ranges
| Type/Pattern | Form | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Common patterns (Daisy & Button, etc.) | Plates, bowls | $10 - $40 |
| Popular patterns (Moon & Star, etc.) | Goblets, compotes | $25 - $75 |
| Better patterns (Bellflower, Horn of Plenty) | Goblets | $40 - $150 |
| Lacy Sandwich pieces | Plates, salts | $75 - $500 |
| Figural patterns (Lion, Three Face) | Covered compotes | $100 - $400 |
| Westward Ho covered pieces | Compotes, butter dishes | $200 - $800 |
| Rare forms or colors | Colored glass, unusual shapes | $200 - $2,000+ |
| Early lacy cup plates | Sandwich, 1830s-40s | $50 - $300 |
Condition Factors
- Chips and flakes: Rim chips are common and reduce value significantly; base chips are less critical
- Mold roughness vs. damage: Learn to distinguish manufacturing roughness from post-production damage
- Clarity: Clouding, staining, or mineral deposits inside vessels reduce appeal
- Completeness: Covered pieces must have original lids; replacement lids are obvious to experienced collectors
- Color: Colored pressed glass (amber, blue, vaseline/canary, amethyst) commands strong premiums over clear
Collecting Tips
- Begin by specializing in a single pattern or form (such as goblets or compotes) rather than trying to collect broadly
- Reproductions are widespread, particularly of popular patterns like Three Face, Lion, and Westward Ho; study the differences in glass quality, mold sharpness, and weight
- Colored examples of patterns normally found in clear glass can bring 3-10 times the price of clear versions
- Early lacy Sandwich glass from the 1830s-1840s is the most prestigious category and commands the highest prices
- Flint glass pieces (pre-1870) are generally more desirable than later non-flint versions of similar patterns
- Condition standards are relatively forgiving for early pieces (pre-1860) given their age, but post-Civil War pattern glass is expected to be chip-free