Stiegel Type: Early American Blown & Enameled Glass
Stiegel-type glass refers to fine-quality blown glass produced at Henry William Stiegel's American Flint Glass Manufactory in Manheim, Pennsylvania, from 1763 to 1774, and the many similar pieces made at other early American and European glasshouses. Because no positively attributed Stiegel pieces can be distinguished from contemporary Continental production, the scholarly term "Stiegel type" acknowledges this attribution challenge. These pieces represent the earliest American attempts at producing European-quality tableware and decorative glass.
Identification & Attribution
No marked Stiegel glass exists, and definitive attribution to the Manheim factory is impossible with current knowledge. "Stiegel type" encompasses clear and colored blown glass with enamel decoration, engraved designs, pattern-molded textures (diamond daisy, expanded diamond, and ribbed patterns), and colored glass in amethyst, blue, and green. Pieces attributed as Stiegel type are typically small-scale tableware: flip glasses, tumblers, creamers, sugar bowls, salt cellars, and bottles. Genuine 18th-century examples show pontil marks, uneven wall thickness, and tool marks consistent with hand-blown production.
Types & Decoration
- Enameled Glass: Clear glass with painted enamel decoration featuring birds, flowers, hearts, and German text, closely resembling Continental peasant glass
- Engraved Glass: Copper-wheel engraved designs of sunflowers, tulips, and geometric patterns
- Pattern-Molded: Blown into ribbed or diamond-pattern molds, then expanded by further blowing to create raised surface textures
- Colored Glass: Amethyst (most prized), cobalt blue, emerald green, and sapphire blue
- Diamond Daisy: Distinctive pattern-molded design featuring diamond shapes with daisy-like centers
Auction Price Ranges
| Item | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Pattern-molded flip glass (common) | $200 - $600 |
| Enameled tumblers/flips | $400 - $2,000 |
| Pattern-molded sugar bowls | $300 - $1,500 |
| Diamond daisy pattern pieces | $500 - $2,000 |
| Amethyst colored pieces | $800 - $5,000 |
| Cobalt blue pieces | $600 - $3,000 |
| Engraved pieces (elaborate) | $1,000 - $5,000 |
| Rare forms (decanters, pocket bottles) | $1,000 - $10,000+ |
Condition Factors
Surface wear and minor scratches are expected on 250-year-old glass and do not significantly affect value. Chips to rims, however, are serious detractors. Enamel decoration should be examined under magnification for completeness, as worn or flaked enamel substantially reduces value. Pattern-molded pieces should show crisp, well-defined patterns. Color intensity matters; deep, saturated amethyst or blue commands premiums over pale tints. Pontil marks should show appropriate age characteristics. Glass should be free of major cracks or significant cloudiness. Original surface patina and wear patterns actually help establish authenticity.
Collecting Tips
The "Stiegel type" designation means collectors are essentially acquiring fine 18th-century Germanic or early American glass regardless of exact origin, and pieces are valued for quality, rarity, and beauty rather than proven provenance. Amethyst examples have historically been the most desirable color. Pattern-molded pieces in the diamond daisy pattern are iconic and widely recognized. Advanced collectors focus on unusual forms and documented provenance to earlier collections. Reproductions and later copies exist, particularly of the enameled wares; study period glass construction techniques to distinguish genuine 18th-century work. Major collections of Stiegel-type glass reside at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Winterthur Museum, and the Henry Ford Museum.