Sandwich Glass: Early American Pressed and Blown Glass
Sandwich glass refers to glassware produced by the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company in Sandwich, Massachusetts, from 1825 to 1888. Founded by Deming Jarves, the company was a pioneer in American pressed glass manufacturing and also produced fine blown, cut, and art glass. Sandwich glass spans an extraordinary range — from affordable lacy pressed cup plates to rare art glass vases worth tens of thousands of dollars.
History
- 1825: Deming Jarves founded the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company
- 1827-1830s: Perfected mechanical pressing of glass, revolutionizing the American glass industry
- 1830s-1850s: Peak period for lacy pressed glass with intricate stippled backgrounds
- 1850s-1870s: Expanded into colored glass, overlay, cut glass, and art glass production
- 1880s: Produced Peachblow, Pomona, and other art glass lines
- 1888: Factory closed due to labor disputes
Identification
- Lacy pressed glass: Stippled background with raised pattern; sharp mold detail indicates early production
- Colors: Canary yellow, electric blue, fiery opalescent, amethyst, peacock green, clambroth are most desirable
- Mold marks: Pressed pieces show mold seam lines; quality of seam finishing indicates period
- Pontil marks: Blown pieces exhibit ground or rough pontil marks
- Weight and ring: Early pressed glass is heavy and rings when tapped gently
- Pattern attribution: Reference books by Barlow and Kaiser document specific Sandwich patterns
Types and Price Ranges
| Type | Description | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Lacy pressed cup plate | Common patterns, clear | $20 - $75 |
| Lacy pressed cup plate | Rare pattern or color | $200 - $2,000+ |
| Pressed salt, footed | Clear or colored, various patterns | $30 - $200 |
| Candlestick, pressed | Dolphin, petal socket, columnar | $100 - $1,500 |
| Whale oil lamp | Various forms, clear or colored | $150 - $600 |
| Overlay vase | Cut-to-clear, white over color | $500 - $5,000+ |
| Lacy pressed dish | Larger serving pieces | $100 - $800 |
| Art glass (Peachblow, Pomona) | Late production, signed | $300 - $3,000+ |
| Threaded glass | Applied threading decoration | $100 - $500 |
| Colored pressed tumbler | Rare colors | $200 - $1,500 |
Condition Factors
- Chips: Very common on pressed glass edges; minor chips are tolerated on common pieces but reduce value on rare items
- Mold quality: Sharp, well-defined patterns indicate early production runs from new molds
- Color depth: Intense, saturated colors command substantial premiums over pale examples
- Clarity: Clear glass should be free of excessive bubbles, stones, or striae (though some inclusions are characteristic of early glass)
- Completeness: Lamps with original burners, fonts, and bases bring significantly more than incomplete examples
Collecting Tips
- Lacy pressed cup plates are the most popular entry point — hundreds of patterns exist, well documented by Lee and Rose
- Color is the most important value factor for pressed Sandwich glass; rare colors like peacock green, electric blue, and fiery opalescent bring exponential premiums
- Not all pressed glass is Sandwich — many other factories produced similar patterns; careful pattern attribution is essential
- Dolphin candlesticks are among the most iconic Sandwich forms and remain in strong demand
- Overlay (cased) glass from Sandwich rivals Bohemian work in quality and is increasingly recognized by collectors
- The Sandwich Glass Museum in Sandwich, Massachusetts, is the definitive resource for identification and study
- Reproductions exist, particularly of popular pressed patterns — learn the weight, ring, and mold characteristics of genuine period glass