Rubina Glass: Shaded Art Glass of the Victorian Era
Rubina glass is a type of shaded art glass produced primarily during the 1880s and 1890s, characterized by a gradual color transition from ruby or cranberry red at the top to clear or crystal at the base. The effect was achieved by applying a gold-ruby formula to the upper portion of the piece before reheating, allowing the color to blend smoothly downward. A variant known as Rubina Verde transitions from red to yellow-green. Rubina glass was produced by several American and European glasshouses during the height of the Victorian art glass movement.
Makers and Production
The principal American manufacturers of Rubina glass included:
- Hobbs, Brockunier & Co. (Wheeling, WV): Produced some of the finest Rubina and Rubina Verde examples, often in their patented pressed patterns and blown forms. Active in art glass from the 1880s.
- George Duncan & Sons (Pittsburgh, PA): Made Rubina pieces in pressed tableware patterns.
- Mt. Washington Glass Co. (New Bedford, MA): Produced shaded glass in related techniques.
- European makers: Bohemian and English glasshouses produced similar shaded wares, often with applied threading or enameled decoration.
Identifying Rubina Glass
Authentic Rubina glass displays a smooth, seamless gradation from red to clear, achieved through heat-sensitive glass chemistry rather than applied staining. The red portion should appear consistent in color density when viewed with backlighting. Rubina Verde shows a transition from red to a distinct yellow-green (uranium glass base), which will fluoresce under ultraviolet light. Common forms include pitchers, tumblers, cruets, vases, sugar shakers, and celery vases. Many pieces feature additional decoration such as applied rigaree, enameled flowers, or mold-blown patterns like Hobnail, Inverted Thumbprint, or Coin Dot.
Auction Price Ranges
| Item | Era | Condition | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rubina overshot water pitcher | 1880s | Excellent | $300 - $700 |
| Rubina Verde cruet with stopper | 1890s | Mint, original stopper | $250 - $500 |
| Hobbs Hobnail Rubina pitcher | 1880s | Very good | $200 - $450 |
| Rubina IVT (Inverted Thumbprint) tumbler | 1880s | Excellent | $60 - $120 |
| Rubina Verde celery vase | 1890s | Very good | $150 - $350 |
| Enameled Rubina vase (European) | 1890s | Good | $100 - $250 |
| Rubina sugar shaker, period lid | 1880s | Excellent, orig. lid | $200 - $400 |
| Rubina Coin Dot water set (pitcher + 6) | 1880s | Very good | $500 - $1,000 |
Condition Factors
Rubina glass should be examined for interior residue or mineral staining, which is common in pitchers and tumblers. The color gradation should be even and free of sharp lines, which could indicate later flashing or staining rather than true Rubina technique. Check for ground-down rim chips and examine applied handles for reattachment. Original stoppers, lids, and matching components significantly increase value. Rubina Verde pieces in strong color command premiums over pale examples.
Collecting Tips
Hobbs, Brockunier pieces in recognizable patterns (Hobnail, Coin Dot) are the most consistently valued Rubina glass. Rubina Verde is generally scarcer and commands higher prices than standard Rubina, particularly in unusual forms. Complete water sets, castor sets, and cruets with original stoppers are increasingly difficult to find intact. Overshot (crackle-textured) Rubina pieces represent a distinctive subcategory with strong collector interest. When building a collection, focus on pieces with documented pattern names and attributable makers, as generic shaded glass without clear provenance brings significantly less at auction.