Royal Flemish: Mt. Washington's Stained-Glass-Inspired Art Glass
Royal Flemish is an art glass line produced by the Mt. Washington Glass Company of New Bedford, Massachusetts, from approximately 1889 to 1895. It is characterized by its distinctive appearance of frosted or matte-finished glass panels separated by raised enamel lines meant to resemble the lead cames of stained glass windows. The panels are decorated with painted designs -- heraldic devices, coins, Roman medallions, dragons, winged griffins, and elaborate floral motifs -- in rich, warm colors. Royal Flemish is one of the rarest and most valuable American art glass types, produced in very limited quantities during a brief production window.
Identification & Characteristics
- Surface treatment: Acid-etched frosted surface divided into panels by raised enamel lines, creating a stained-glass effect
- Decoration: Enameled designs including heraldic shields, mythological creatures, coins, medallions, and floral patterns
- Color palette: Rich browns, golds, purples, and greens on a transparent or frosted ground
- Glass body: Clear glass with applied matte finish; heavier than typical art glass
- Mark: Pieces may carry a paper label or have "RF" or "Royal Flemish" in enamel on the base, though many are unmarked
- Mt. Washington connection: Royal Flemish was produced alongside other Mt. Washington lines including Burmese, Crown Milano, and Albertine
Types & Forms
- Vases: The most common form, in various shapes and sizes
- Ewers and pitchers: Tall pouring vessels with applied handles
- Cookie/biscuit jars: Cylindrical jars with silver-plated lids and handles
- Rose bowls: Round, incurved bowls for displaying roses
- Cracker jars: With silver-plated mountings by Pairpoint (Mt. Washington's metalwork division)
- Lamps: Extremely rare; among the most valuable Royal Flemish pieces
Auction Price Ranges
| Item | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small vase (simple decoration) | $500 | $1,500 | $4,000 |
| Medium vase (heraldic/figural) | $1,500 | $4,000 | $10,000 |
| Large vase (exceptional) | $3,000 | $8,000 | $20,000+ |
| Ewer/pitcher | $2,000 | $5,000 | $12,000 |
| Cookie/biscuit jar (mounted) | $2,000 | $6,000 | $15,000 |
| Rose bowl | $1,000 | $3,000 | $8,000 |
| Lamp (documented) | $5,000 | $15,000 | $40,000+ |
Condition Factors
- Enamel raised lines must be intact; flaking, chipping, or loss of the enamel dividing lines is the most common condition issue
- Painted decoration should be vivid and well-preserved; worn or faded painting reduces value significantly
- The frosted surface must be even and undamaged; scratches through the matte finish are irreversible
- Silver-plated mountings on jars and ewers should be intact and in good condition
- Cracks are rare but devastating to value on pieces in this price range
- Original silver-plate lids and fittings are essential; replacements reduce value by 30-50%
Collecting Tips
- Royal Flemish is strictly a high-end collecting category; genuine pieces rarely appear at general antiques venues
- The stained-glass-panel effect is unique to Royal Flemish and makes it instantly recognizable
- Heraldic and coin-decorated pieces are the most valued; simple floral decoration is less expensive
- Confusion with Crown Milano is possible; Crown Milano has a different surface treatment (opal/matte white) without the raised enamel dividing lines
- Documentation and provenance significantly affect value; published examples from known collections bring premiums
- Major auction houses (Christie's, Sotheby's, Heritage) are the primary market for Royal Flemish
- Reference: Mt. Washington Art Glass by Betty and Ted Sievert documents the full range