Rose Bowls: Victorian Art Glass Collectibles
Rose bowls are small, spherical or ovoid glass vessels with crimped or pinched tops, originally designed to hold fragrant rose petals or rosewater in Victorian parlors. Produced primarily from the 1880s through the early 1900s, they were made by virtually every major American and European art glass manufacturer. Their compact size, decorative appeal, and wide variety of glass types make them one of the most popular collecting categories in Victorian art glass.
Types and Glass Techniques
- Satin glass: Acid-finished glass in shaded colors (pink to white, blue to white) with a soft, matte surface. Mother-of-pearl satin glass with diamond quilted, herringbone, or raindrop patterns is highly prized.
- Cased glass: Multiple layers of colored glass, often with enameled decoration. Webb, Stevens & Williams, and other English firms excelled at cased rose bowls.
- Spangled and spatter glass: Glass embedded with mica flakes (spangled) or colored glass fragments (spatter/end-of-day).
- Cranberry and ruby glass: Deep red glass, often with applied clear rigging, enameled flowers, or gilt decoration.
- Burmese glass: Shading from pink to yellow, developed by Mt. Washington Glass Company. Webb also produced a licensed version.
- Peachblow, amberina, and other art glass types: Various shaded art glass forms adapted to the rose bowl shape.
Identification
Rose bowls are identified primarily by glass type, decoration, and form rather than by marks. Most are unmarked. Size ranges from miniature (2 inches) to large (6+ inches). The crimped top is the defining feature -- typically six to ten crimps forming the opening. Quality indicators include evenness of color shading, crispness of crimping, smoothness of the pontil (ground or polished), and quality of any applied decoration. Webb pieces sometimes bear acid-etched marks.
Auction Price Ranges
| Type | Typical Range | Premium Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Common satin glass, single color | $30 - $80 | $150 for unusual colors |
| Mother-of-pearl satin, diamond quilted | $100 - $400 | $800+ for rare patterns |
| Webb cased glass with enameling | $150 - $500 | $1,000+ for elaborate decoration |
| Burmese glass (Mt. Washington) | $200 - $600 | $1,200+ for decorated examples |
| Peachblow rose bowls | $150 - $500 | $1,000+ for New England type |
| Cranberry with applied decoration | $75 - $250 | $500 for exceptional pieces |
| Spangled/spatter glass | $40 - $120 | $250 for unusual combinations |
| Miniature rose bowls (under 3 inches) | $20 - $75 | $200 for rare glass types |
Condition Factors
The crimped top is the most vulnerable area -- check each crimp for chips and roughness. Interior staining from use is common and can usually be cleaned. Cracks are uncommon in these thick-walled pieces but are serious when present. For satin glass, the acid finish should be even and unfaded. Enameled decoration should be intact and unfired enamel should not be flaking. Applied decoration (feet, rigaree, flowers) should be original and undamaged.
Collecting Tips
Rose bowls are an excellent entry point for art glass collecting due to their relatively small size and broad price range. Specializing by glass type (all Burmese, all mother-of-pearl satin) or by color creates focused and displayable collections. The best rose bowls combine fine glass quality with exceptional decoration. Be aware that modern reproductions exist, particularly in satin glass and cranberry -- originals typically show a ground and polished pontil, period-correct crimping, and glass weight consistent with 19th-century production. Rose bowls display beautifully in lighted cabinets where their colors and textures can be fully appreciated.