Spanish Lace: Opalescent Pressed Glass Pattern by Northwood

Spanish Lace is the collector's name for a popular opalescent pressed glass pattern produced primarily by the Northwood Glass Company in the 1890s and early 1900s. Featuring an allover design of interlocking scrolls and lattice resembling delicate lacework, Spanish Lace pieces display the characteristic opalescent effect where the raised pattern turns milky white against a colored or clear background when held to light. It is one of the most recognized and collected opalescent glass patterns of the Victorian era.

Identification & Makers

Spanish Lace was produced primarily by Harry Northwood at his factories in Martin's Ferry, Ohio, and later Indiana, Pennsylvania. Some examples may carry Northwood's underlined "N" mark, though many are unmarked. The pattern features a dense, interconnected scroll design covering the entire surface. The opalescent effect is created by adding bone ash to the glass batch and reheating the finished piece so that the raised portions turn white opalescent. Spanish Lace was made in cranberry, blue, green, white (plain opalescent), canary (vaseline), and clear. Cranberry opalescent is the most sought-after color.

Types & Forms

Common forms in the Spanish Lace pattern include water pitchers, tumblers, cruets, sugar shakers, salt and pepper shakers, butter dishes, berry bowls, bride's baskets, barber bottles, and various novelty items. Ruffled and crimped edges are typical finishing touches. Some pieces feature applied clear or colored handles. The pattern was also produced in a non-opalescent version, though these are less collectible. Barber bottles and cruets with original stoppers are particularly desirable forms.

Auction Price Ranges

Condition Factors

The raised opalescent pattern is vulnerable to chipping, particularly on ruffled edges and high points. Check tumblers for rim chips and pitchers for spout damage. Original stoppers on cruets and barber bottles are critical for full value; replacement stoppers reduce worth by 40-60%. The opalescent effect should be strong and well-defined; weak opalescence reduces desirability. Applied handles should be firmly attached without cracks at the join points. Color intensity matters; deep cranberry examples command the highest prices, while pale or washed-out colors bring less.

Collecting Tips

Spanish Lace in cranberry opalescent is the most valuable and actively collected combination. Build a collection by color for visual impact or by form for comprehensive representation. Learn to distinguish Northwood's Spanish Lace from similar opalescent patterns by other makers; the scroll pattern is distinctive once you become familiar with it. Vaseline (canary yellow) opalescent examples fluoresce under ultraviolet light, which can help confirm identification. Reproductions exist but tend to have less crisp molding and weaker opalescent effects than period pieces. Check auction results for the specific color and form combination you seek, as prices vary enormously by color. Green opalescent and vaseline examples are less common than blue or white and are undervalued by many collectors.